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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:
- "hundred thousand united states dollars" (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)
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
- 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: "Skye Bank Plc" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mr.timothyoguntayo2011@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Wed, 2 May 2012 12:39:59 -0400
Subject: FROM SKYE BANK PLC 02.05.2012
Skye Bank Plc.
3, Akin Adesola Street,
Victoria Island, Lagos.
Tel: +234 7032508644
Date: 28-04-2012
Attention: Beneficiary
We write to inform you that your inheritance payment fund has been
approved to be paid this morning after the confirmation from our
co-ordinate office that you are yet to receive your over due inheritance
fund.
Your payment file has been forwarded to this bank after the executive
board meeting held at International Remittance Office to ensure that your
re-approved fund $7.5m (Seven Million Five Hundred Thousand United States
Dollars Only) is processed and paid to you on or before MAY 10TH,2012.
Below is the needed details from you to enable us have a cross check with
the information submitted on your behalf before your account will be
processed immediately.
1) Your full Name............
2) Residential Address................
3) Direct Cell-Phone/Mobile...........
4) Age and Marital Status.............
5) Professions ...........
6) Next of Kin Name and his or her Residential Address..........
As soon as the above information is submitted as directed. We shall cross
check your details submitted already by our co-ordinate payment office.
Your payment will be process within 24hrs from now
MR. TIMOTHY OGUNTAYO (FOREIGN PAYMENT OFFICER)
SKYE BANK NIGERIA PLC
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Anti-fraud resources:
