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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 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: "ATM CARD PAYMENT UNIT." <gmdnnpc2010@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 18 Feb 2011 10:01:33 +0100 (CET)
Subject: Director Payment Monitoring Agency.
Attn: Sir/Madam
We write to inform you that the Federal Government of Nigeria incollabration with United Nations have agreed last week to refund every scam victim US$10.5M as compensation with immediate effect. Also, to inform you that we are paying you by a Certified cashiers Bank Check. The following information is urgently needed from you: Your Full Name. Private Telephone number and Physical Address and occupation. For urgent delivery of the check to you.
Best Regards
Rev.Dr Paul Williams
Director Payment Monitoring Agency.
Tel: +234 812 071 8229
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Anti-fraud resources:
