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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:
- "tax clearance" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "tax clearance" (Tax offices mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. Even after you pay their fake tax demands you will still not receive the non-existent funds you have been promised. )
- "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.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- smartcarddepartment_afribank@yahoo.com.hk (Yahoo, Hong Kong; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: AFRIBANK <psectrat@obec.go.th>
Reply-To: AFRIBANK <afribank_operations2@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Sun, 6 Jun 2010 07:44:22 +0700 (ICT)
Subject: Contact us on this email:smartcarddepartment_afribank@yahoo.com.hk
Afri Bank Plc
51/55, Broad Street, Lagos.
Debt Management Office
Foreign Operations Directorate.
Attn: Beneficiary
We have received a Joint credit instruction from the United Nations and the International Monitory fund (IMF) to process and effect payment of US$1.5Million in your favor.
You are therefore advised to reconfirm and forward the following information to us for effective service.
(1) Your Full Names and Address
(2)Your banking Information where the fund will be transferred
(3)Proof of Ownership Certificate
(4) Three Year Tax Clearance
We also would like you to forward to us your telephone numbers, preferably you cell phone for effective communication.
We promise to conclude the transfer of this fund to you in the next 6 days if you abide by our instructions. Urgently contact us with the information bellow:
AfriBank Plc,
Mr.William Kunle
Email:smartcarddepartment_afribank@yahoo.com.hk
Phone:+234-80-3630-5940
Yours Faithfully
Mr.Paul Benson
Director of Operations.
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Anti-fraud resources:
