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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:
- ",000,000" (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)
- "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)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Robert Gibson <guolin438@gmail.com>
Reply-To: grobert736@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 26 May 2014 19:59:19 +0100
Subject: Re: Latest Information On Your Unclaimed ATM card payment.
Zenith Bank PLC Lagos Nigeria
ATM payment Settlement Dept
Office of Mr.Robert Gibson.
Re: Latest Information On Your Unclaimed ATM card payment.
We use this opportunity to confirm from you if really you have sent
your overseas representative ( name Withheld ) from USA to come and
activate your ATM CARD on your behalf. He further stated that you were
sick and could not get this straightened out this time that because
the year is running down so you gave him the power of authority to
come and activate your card and that we should hand over the card to
him to avoid confiscation by the bank.
We decided to write to your email and if thee is no outcome of reply
from this message from you within 24hrs it will be assumed that his
information is correct then we shall work with your representative and
do what he has requested.
You are require to send us this information below:
1. YOUR FULL NAME----------
2. YOUR FULL CONTACT ADDRESS WHERE THE DELIVERY COURIER SERVICE WILL
DELIVER YOUR CARD.---------
3. YOUR DIRECT TELEPHONE NUMBER FOR EASY COMMUNICATION-----
4. ONE OF YOUR PASSPORT.
Who so ever receive this letter should put us through to avoid handing
over your ATM CARD with $1,000,000.00 to stranger.
We look forward to immediate response .
Regards.
Mr.Robert Gibson
Director ATM dept,
Zenith Bank PLC.
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Anti-fraud resources:
