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joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam
The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.
Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.
Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!
Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.
Click here to report a problem with this page.
Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:
- This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "firstflighteurope_couriers@live.co.uk" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
Fraud email example:
From: "ASIA ATM AWARD" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <firstflighteurope_couriers@live.co.uk>
Date: Sat, 5 Aug 2000 08:15:44 -0700
Subject: 2010 ATM AWARD
Our Ref: FGN /SNT/STB
YOUR REF :
NOTIFICATION OF ATM CARD ACCREDITATION
This is to officially inform you that an Inter-Switch ATM-Card Valued at
$500,000 USD only has been accredited in your favor by the Federal
Government of Asia.Your Personal Identification Number is ATM-2900.
The ATM Card has a daily withdrawal limit of $5,000.00 USD Per Day.
You are advised to contact First Flight Courier company (Mr.Jeffrey Simpson)
for claim processing and the delivery of your parcel.
NOTE:You will be require to pay the sum of US$115 for the safe delivery of your parcel,this is to ensure that you receive your ATM-CARD grant Award on time to
avoid delay.
Please provide the following details for processing to the FIRST FLIGHT COURIER COMPANY,
Email: (firstflighteurope_couriers@live.co.uk)
* Full Name:
* Delivery Address:
* Sex:
* Age:
* Occupation:
* Phone Number:
* Country of Residence:
We look forward to receiving the information necessary to complete the
process so that the prize can be sent to you.
Regards,
House of Senate.
Phone:+2348033528139
Executive,Committee On ATM-CARD Payment.
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Anti-fraud resources:
