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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:
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "fund beneficiary" (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)
- "drreginaosanakpo@w.cn" (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: "UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrterryhill@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 4 Feb 2011 01:04:29 -0800
Subject: TRANSFER OF YOUR FUND
TRANSFER OF YOUR FUND : LOGIN TO CHECK YOUR BALANCE
Attention: Fund Beneficiary
NEW-YORK CITY BRANCH BANK OF AMERICA INTERNATIONAL WIRE TRANSFER DEPARTMENT.
FROM THE DESK OF REV. PETER MARK SENIOR STAFF DEPARTMENT MANAGER.
I just received an update from Bank of America International electronic wire transfer department in regard to the sum of $11 Million USD that was transferred into your account.
Please be advice to open the attachment and clink on the link to enable transfer money from your Account from bank of America to any of your Accounts. please open the Attachment and click on the link to fill in your user name and pass word.
Contact us for assistance with below information:
Contact Person: REV. PETER MARK
E-Mail: drreginaosanakpo@w.cn
Direct Tel: +4478-4273-7709 Call me Urgently
Fax: +4478-3379-9899
Await your reply.
REV. PETER MARK
FINANCE DEPARTMENT BANK OF AMERICA NEW-YORK BRANCH.
WEBSITE: HTTP://WWW.BANKOFAMERICA.COM
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Anti-fraud resources:
