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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:
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- 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.
- atm.award5432@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Interswitch ATM Card" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <atm.award5432@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 30 Oct 2013 07:25:13 -0000
Subject: Wiiner Release Code: GNC/3480/02/00
Inter Switch ATM Organization/ $2,500 000.00 USD BENEFICIARIES.
PAYMENTS CODE: ATM-8222 $2,500 000.00 USD.
This is to officially inform you that an Inter-Switch ATM-Card Valued at
$2,500 000.00 USD has been accredited in your favor by the West
Africa NG Inter Switch ATM Organization.Your Personal Identification Number is ATM-8222.You are advice to contact Mr Renard Mertens (atm.award5432@gmail.com) with the following information's for processing:
Full Names:
Valid Delivery Address:
Country Of Residence:
Direct Telephone:
Age:
This is to ensure that you receive your ATM-CARD grant Award on time to avoid delay. Contact him immediately with the requested information above for your ATM Card of $2,500 000.00 USD.
Please do contact Mr Dexter Roland with your full details.
Best Wishes
Ms Susan Turner
CC
Mr Renard Mertens
Direct line: +233-3062-8477
This e-mail and any attachments may contain confidential and
privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient,
please notify the sender immediately by return e-mail, delete this
e-mail and destroy any copies. Any dissemination or use of this
information by a person other than the intended recipient is
unauthorized and may be illegal.
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Anti-fraud resources:
