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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:
- "hundred thousand united states dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "larry_williams@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: "ZENNITH BANK PLC" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <transfer89@windowslive.com>
Date: Mon, 19 Apr 2010 15:17:18 +0100
Subject: Contact For Your Atm Master Card
Attention: Beneficiary,
This is to officially inform you that we have verified your contract inheritance file presented on my desk, and I found out that you have not received your payment due to your lack of co-operation and not fulfilling the obligations giving to you in respect to your contract /inheritance payment.
After the board meeting held at our headquarters and also with the approval from the ministry of finance Nigeria, we concluded to send you an ATM card which gives you access to make withdrawals from your total sum of $1.6 Million USD. (One millions Six Hundred Thousand United States Dollars)
The contact person below (Card centre Official) will send your ATM card along with an official document from Zenith Bank that will contain directions for your card usage through DHL services.
Is rest assured that you can make withdrawals with your master card from any ATM MACHINE near you or in any part of the world.
To proceed further and for information’s on when to expect your card you are to contact the below person with your personal information which must include your full name and phone/cell number:
Agent Name: Larry Williams
Email: larry_williams@live.co.uk
Phone: (+234) 7057765917
Thanks for your co-operation.
Best Regards,
Mr. James Goodluck
Remittance Manager
Zenith Bank of Nigeria.
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Anti-fraud resources:
