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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:
- 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.
- atmpaymentdept7777@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Bankole Williams (Debt Recovery Officer)" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <atmpaymentdept008@mailbox.hu>
Date: Sat, 24 Nov 2012 19:53:31 +0100
Subject: CONGRATULATION YOUR ATM CARD OF $11.5M USD IS READY FOR COLLECTION.
Attention:Valued Beneficiary
The International Center for Settlement of Contracts & Investments Disputes(ICSID) has given an irrevocable order to this office to release your payment via VISA CREDIT CARD in the tune of $11.5M USD within 72 hours as in accordance with the recently transfer order of the International Monetary Fund.The CARD which is in partnership with Visa International and can be used through any e-payment channel(ATM and POST terminal) where visa is accepted.
Your Personal Identification Number is (1029) The ATM Visa Card is Valued at US$11.5M Only.You are advised to complete the under listed information's for clarity and avoidance of error;
Full name.........
Your address......
Direct/cell phone number....
Your country......
Your age............
Your occupation......
A copy of your I.D....
Prompt response recommended for immediate attention on the delivery of the card.It is advisable you call me on my direct mobile telephone number for more details: +2348078453684 and also send an email to this email box: atmpaymentdept7777@gmail.com
Regards,
Yours Faithfully,
Mr. Bankole Williams.
(Debt Recovery Officer)
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Anti-fraud resources:
