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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 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)
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- "imf.deptca@drivehq.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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Rev. Tim Evioh" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <imf.deptCA@drivehq.com>
Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2015 21:42:13 +0530
Subject: ATTN: BENEFIARY GOOD NEWS.
INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND
OFFICE OF THE DEBT MANAGER
INTERNATIONAL DEBT RECONCILIATION
CANADA.
Email: imf.deptCA@drivehq.com
Attention: Benefiary
This is to inform you that your long awaited inheritance/contract payment valued $10.5 million dollars has been approved and
your payment file is among those that will receive payment into your account with immediate effect as announced by the
World Bank in conjunction with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Canada;after a meeting with the executive council.
However, you are advice to reconfirm to us with the following information as stated below;
1.Your full names;
2.Your official address
3.Your cell phone numbers;
4.Your banking information;
5.Your Nationality.
For further information, you are to obtain a waiver to facilitate the transfer of your legal inheritance/contract payment without any hitch. Bear in mind that you will receive your payment as soon as we hear from you with the required information stated above.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Yours truly,
Rev. Tim Evioh
Debt Reconciliation Director
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Anti-fraud resources:
