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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)
- 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.
- +447031995090 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
Fraud email example:
From: "Richard Bills" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <confinancezzzzz@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 20 Jul 2015 19:05:56 +1000
Subject: Dear Value Customer
ALLY BANK OF ENGLAND
COMPUTER/TELEX DEPARTMENT
TEL: 447031995090
Dear Value Customer
This is to inform you of your pended fund $8.7 Million United State Dollar deposited in our Bank,which just approve by the (IMF) Chairman/Minister of Finance and Economy Planning to be transfer to you without any further delay,
The Administrative Department of the UBA Bank pleased to advise you as follows: To forward your full data of information: Attached copy of your International Passport or Driving License, and your physical bank address to enable us facilitate the transfer of your Fund$8.7m million USD.
As soon as our accounts department confirms receipt of your personal information including your banking co-ordinate for clarification, the UBA will finalize the transfer of your Fund deposited with us through our new payment method ATM card or by wire transfer.
I oblige further communication as soon as possible.
Regards.
Richard Bills.
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Anti-fraud resources:
