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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:
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
- 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.
- johnatugav@inmail24.com (Inmail24; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "MR OBASEKI WILLIAMS" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <johnatugav@inmail24.com>
Date: Thu, 29 Jul 2010 15:03:27 +0100
Subject: Your Certified Bank Draft.......203.45.143.87
My Dear,
Iam very happy to alert you that i have been able to get those funds worth
the sum of ?3.5M transferred under a co-peration of new business partner
from Australia.
Now be advised to contact my Lawyer Barrister John Atuga and ask him for the
sum of Eight hundred and fifty united states dollars ($850,000.00usd) in a
certified international bank draft written and signed in your name for your
Name:Barrister John Atuga
Phone: +234-805-590-3435
Email;johnatugav@inmail24.com
Endeavour to get me informed once you receive your certified bank draft with
you.Also be advised to reconfirm to him your full information such as your
name,current phone number for easy communications and as well your address
where the said bank draft would be delivered.
Regards
Mr OBASEKI WILLIAMS
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