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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:
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- 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.
- 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.
- staffemail_uba1@yahoo.com (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Tony Elumelu " <mrtony@gmail.com>
Reply-To: elumeluoffice@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 08 Jun 2012 14:10:40 +0700
Subject: Fund Remittance Instruction.
Dear Sir,
This is to inform you that we have received order from the office of
the presidency and
federal Ministry of Finance to remit your compensation payment of
US$5,000.000.00 into your
bank account immediately without any further delay .Bear in mind that
it will cost you only
$75.00 to get a deduction form which will enable us to get your funds
to your account or
through ATM Card. Therefore you are here by advice to re-confirm your
receiving bank
information to enable us carry on your transfer with the payment
instructions from the
office of the presidency. As soon as we receive all the needed
information in regards to
your funds. Your urgent reply is needed, E-mail:
staffemail_uba1@yahoo.com, Phone Number:
+2348092424819
FIND ATTACHED MY BANK WORKING I. D.FOR IDENTIFICATION PURPOSES.
MR. TONY ELUMELU
GROUP MANAGING DIRECTOR
UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC
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This message was sent using IMP, the Internet Messaging Program.
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Anti-fraud resources:
