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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:
- "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)
- "bradley.thomas@gmx.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- 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.
- bradleythomas102@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Bradley Thomas" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <bradley.thomas@gmx.com>
Date: Sun, 27 Apr 2014 11:02:01 -0700
Subject: Bradley Thomas
I hope this letter will not embarrass you since we have not had any
previous communication. I got your payment reference from the
outstanding record debt and went further to have it confirmed by World
Fund Discovery Management and Federal Reserve Payment Bureau
Department.
I am Bradley Thomas senior executive with demonstrated experience in
growing strategic new business by applying technology and best
practices to solve business problems in the banking and financial
services industry, I came across your payment file yesterday forwarded
to me by World Fund Discovery Management and Payment Bureau Department
Federal Reserve to start my job as am quite new here and from my
observation after my perusal of your file, I discovered that your fund
never release to you.
The World Fund Discovery Management and Payment Bureau Department in
your new payment file record to pay you $6,300,000.00 (Six Million
Three Hundred Thousand Dollars Only). via telegraphic transfer to your
bank account /ATM Visa Prepaid Card/Online Account.
In line with this directive, it became paramount to inform you that
based on the details contained in your new file which was forwarded to
our office shows that you are among "Category "A" which clarifies that
your payment has been verified and long over-due.
Reconfirm the information below for final verifications and
endorsement of your payment file prior to release.
1. Your Full Name _________________
2. Your Home Address: _____________
3. Your Home Telephone___________
4. Your Mobile Phone_______________
5. Fax Number: ___________________
6. Your Age and Sex_______________
7. Your Occupation_________________
8. Your Alternative E-mail Address__________
9. Your Nationality___________________
We are waiting for your urgent confirmation and we want you to provide
us with the above mentioned information so that we can process a
release of your fund to you as you shall advice us while we advised
you to please keep every information here restrict confidential until
your finally receive your fund just to avoid false claim of your fund.
Thanks in advance for your anticipated co-operation.
Yours Sincerely,
Bradley Thomas
bradleythomas102@gmail.com
bradley.thomas@gmx.com
Tele: +1-850-615-7565
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