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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:
- "into your nominated bank account" (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.
- +447031991087 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
Fraud email example:
From: "Paul Devitt." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <pauldevitt321@rediffmail.com>
Date: Wed, 12 Mar 2014 09:04:25 -0400
Subject: Re: GOOD NEWS
Greetings,
This mail is to inform you that i have good news for you. I have been working so hard to see you get your funds without paying any money and thanks be to God now that all is now set for your fund to be released directly into your nominated bank account and I have taking care of all the charges required to complete this transaction. I also want you to know that I have processed and procured the documents that present's you as the legitimate Beneficiary of your fund.
I was at the bank to get approval for your transfer and your funds are now ready to be transferred, I have been able to locate a high profile international financial consultant who is very willing to assist us conclude this transaction.I will be very willing to give you his direct contact information so that you can open up communication with him.Please note that he works for a very reputable financial firm and he also has a strong financial network that will see this transcation through in a matter of days.Upon your response i will provide you with the contact details.Kindly send your full contact information such as:
Your full names:
Address:
Country:
Tel:
Fax:
Amount :(Three Million Six Hundred Thousand British Pounds).
As soon as I receive this info, I would prepare your express application with your payment Key Tested Reference/Claims Code Number which you would forward to the Bank affiliate Financial Consultant whose duty is to legalize the support documents and release your funds without further delay.
Regards,
Paul Devitt.
Telephone: +44-703-1991087
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Anti-fraud resources:
