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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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:
- "security keeping fee" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "00,000.00" (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)
- 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.
- skyservice@superposta.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Jean Francis Zinsou <jeanfranciszinsou@gmail.com>
Reply-To: office-file@atoo.fr
Date: Fri, 14 Sep 2012 12:25:56 +0100 (BST)
Subject: Attn:Beneficiary
Attn:Beneficiary
The United Nations in Affiliation with HSBC BANK has deposited your Over-due ATM Card payment of US$1,200,000.00, We will send you an International Swift ATM Card that has been approved in your Name with Card Number :8401236451206112, Registration Reference No:FDXB/xxx/100.Contact Mr.Obi Ginter (skyservice@superposta.com) Phone +229-9969-1328 The Director Sky Line Delivering Company Benin Republic for immediate delivery.
Note! I have paid for the delivery Charges of the ATM CARD, The only Money You will send to them is their Security keeping Fee of $98.00 only I would have paid for it but the said no that they don't know when you will be contacting them so feel free to get in touch with Him.
Send to him this mentioned details
1.Delivery Address
.2.Full Names
.3.Phone Number
.4.A scanned copy of your ID or passport.
Yours Faithfully,
Jean-Francis .R. Zinsou
Permanent Representative to the United Nations
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Anti-fraud resources:
