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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:
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- 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.
- clarkbengu@yahoo.dk (Yahoo, Denmark; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Ms.Delima Akin" <danbard00111@gmail.com>
Reply-To: clarkbengu@yahoo.dk
Date: Wed, 19 Feb 2014 08:55:01 +0000
Subject: Contact Mr. Clark Bengu for Your ATM Master Card
Good day, I am writing to inform you that Ministry of Finance, Have
concluded to release your Fund $2.2Million United state Dollar to you
by ATM Master CARD and You will receive your ATM Master Card though
Delivering Company..
All the necessary arrangement for sending your ATM Master Card of $2.2
Million us dollar to you was made with Mr. Clark Bengu. Contact Him
now and send your full home address to him to send your ATM Master
Card to you through Courier Service..
Contact person:...(Mr. Clark Bengu)
Email ....( clarkbengu@yahoo.dk )
Send your contact information to him as it below to enable him send
your ATM Master Card to you through Courier Service.
YOUR FULL NAME
HOME ADDRESS.
YOUR COUNTRY
CITY AND ZIP CODE
TELEPHONE NUMBER.
Do let me know immediately you receive your ATM Master Card from Him.
BEST REGARDS,
Ms. Delima Akin
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Anti-fraud resources:
