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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:
- "million united states dollars" (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)
- "cotonou" (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.
- 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.
Fraud email example:
From: "STANDARD BANK PLC" <info@italnet.com>
Reply-To: cardresourcedepartment@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 18 Feb 2015 07:36:53 -0200
Subject:
STANDARD BANK PLC
#3 POPE HOUSE
P.M.B 2011
COTONOU
BENIN REPUBLIC
ATTN:ATM VISA CARD OWNER:
It has actually verified and discovered that your payment has been
unnecessarily delayed by impostors claiming to help you source for your
fund,they are trying to divert your fund of $3.4 Million United States
dollars into their private accounts.
Note that we have obtained an irrevocable payment guarantee on your
Payment with Standard Bank to make your payment through their new ATM VISA
CARD system which you can use to withdraw your money in any ATM MACHINE
around your area.
We are here by inviting you to our office to pick up your ATM VISA CARD
but if you cannot be able to come down here in our office in person be
inform that you are going to pay for shipping fee of your ATM VISA
CARD,then you are required to update with the necessary information for
the arrangement of the delivery of your ATM VISA CARD.
Note you have to forward your current information as requested below to
the bank for the ATM Card re-activation,then the ATM CARD will now be send
for your immediate use.
Here are the information you have to forward to the bank:
1.Your Full Names:
2.Country Of Origin:
3.Cell Number:
4.Sex:
5.Age:
6.Occupation:
7.Nationality:
8.Passport Photograph:
THANKS
MR.KELVIN EZECHIMA
STANDARD BANK PLC
+229-9921-7397
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Anti-fraud resources:
