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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:
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- "united state of america" (this email uses bad English)
- "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- 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: Mr Donald May <careservice84@yahoo.dk>
Reply-To: www.ocbatmdpt002@live.com
Date: Mon, 4 Jul 2011 00:59:06 +0100 (BST)
Subject: $2.7Million into the ATM DEBIT CARD
Attn:
Your Payment File has been submitted to this Bank for immediate Payment.Instruction was given and We were Directed by the Federal Government of Benin through the Federal Ministry of Finance and AUDITS and United to transfer fund of $2.7Million(TWO MILLION SEVEN HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATES OF AMERICA DOLLARS)through International ATM VISA Card and deliver to you,which you can use in any near cash point,shopping mall or any bank around you.
You can make withdrawal of money from your International ATM VISA Card from any ATM MACHINE location or outlet of your choice/nearest to you, in any part of the world.
Be informed that the office of the presidency on your behalf has secured the approval of your Inheritance payment of usd$2.7Million(Two Million Seven Hundred Thousand United State of America Dollars) and also your ATM Debit Card has been upgraded and processed by Oceanic Bank Plc. we have down-load the $2.7Million into the ATM DEBIT CARD and in your name ,the Pin Code /password of the ATM VISA CARD will be forwarded to you by our Security Mail Express to your door step for security purposes.
You are advice to forward to this Bank your full contact address to enable us ship your ATM CARD payment to you by a Diplomatic Courier Service which will dispatch your ATM Card to you within 48hrs.forward to this Bank this required information's below.
Your Full names/occupation
Your physical contact,Home or Office address
Your Direct Telephone number and a copy of your identity
Direct your response to their contact email ( www.ocbatmdpt002@live.com )
and give them a call for urgent attention ,Call +229 6624 3355
Attention Name :Henry Edwin
Thanks for your co-operation
Yours Faithfully
Mr Donald May
Foreign Operation Payment Due Process Unit
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Anti-fraud resources:
