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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:
- "mrpetercollins1@ymail.com" (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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr PETER COLLINS" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrpetercollins1@ymail.com>
Date: Sat, 16 Jun 2012 03:56:13 +0100
Subject: Payment Notification Update
Federal Ministry of Finance FMF
Federal Republic of Nigeria.
In collaboration with (CBN)Office.
ATT : Honorable Contractor
(FMF/CBN) Payment Notification Update
In order to eradicate the fraudulent rampant extortion of money from contractors as transfer charges and taxes by non-exiting individuals and corrupt Government officials.I am obliged to reach you concerning the immediate payment of your fund by ATM Visa Card. Be- informed that this communication supersede any other you must have had with any office in connection with your payment. Investigations reveal that you have paid some good money in the past as transfer charges and taxes which did not reflect in the bank treasury, that means officials concern have help themselves to the money at your own detriment.
Now that your file has scaled their huddle and your file is on my table.I want to ensure the immediate payment of your fund by ATM Visa Card. You are thereby advise to re-confirm to me the following:
(1)Your full Name
(2) Your Telephone and Fax number
(3)Your receiving Address .
(4)Copy of your international passport OR Driving license
This is imperative to enable me confirm your information and make my recommendations to Foreign Operation ATM Department of FMF for immediate payment of your fund by ATM Visa Card.
Note:If your file returns to the cabinet without my recommendation you will end up not benefiting from the present batch of beneficiaries.
Mr PETER COLLINS
Federal Ministry of Finance FMF
Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Contact me via my private e-mail{mrpetercollins1@ymail.com}
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Anti-fraud resources:
