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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:
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- 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: "info@internationalmonetaryfund.org" <jim.lind@btinternet.com>
Reply-To: imf_claimsunitdept002@av.tc
Date: Sat, 22 May 2010 05:35:32 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: IMF Compensation Unit
INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND (IMF)
NO.23 ADEBAYO STREET, APAPA
LAGOS –NIGERIA.
TEL: +234 802 878 1565, +234 702-864-5244
ATTN,
We have Your IMF (Fund) packaged in our custody assigned to be delivered to your address from the IMF Compensation Unit London United Kingdom.
The package is valued at US$2.5Million dollar. The delivery agent handling the delivery will be on his way to meet with you as soon as we confirm the following information, which will enable us effect the delivery without delay:
1) Your full name and address
2) A contact Cell phone number of yours
3) The nearest Airport to your home
Your urgent response is awaited to enable us expedite action. Call the Claims and Confirmation Unit on +234-802-878-1565 and speak with any of our Officer.
Regards
Mr. Robert Mills
IMF Compensation Unit, Lagos Nigeria.
Email :( imf_claimsunitdept002@av.tc)
www.imf.org
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Anti-fraud resources:
