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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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:
- "clearance certificate" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "clearance certificate" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "ecowas " (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- "atmcard373@gmail.com" (this email address looks like addresses used in "ATM SWIFT card" 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.
- 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.
- atmcard373@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Dr. Johnson Cook" <okamoto@hya.bbiq.jp>
Reply-To: "Mr. Tony Frank" <atmcard373@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 6 Apr 2016 22:28:38 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Your ATM card pin:0974
I write to inform you that your fund have been approved by the
government of Benin republic and we are ready to make the delivery
of your ATM CARD total of $10.5 million USD to your home address
as soon as you re-confirm your address to me.
Your full name:
Your phone:
Your Country;
Your home address:
You’re ID card:
HERE IS YOUR ATM CARD INFORMATION:
Your ATM card pin:0974
Your ATM CARD NO:80649235167809
Note that you are to pay only $175 for the proof of fund ownership
clearance certificate so that your ATM CARD will not be stop in
any airport and you ATM will be delivery to your home address as
soon as you pay the little fee of $175 to the high court office
here for them to approve document on your name, so please get back
to me now so that I will give you the payment information
I will be waiting for your mail so that we can make the delivery
of your $10.5 million to you today.
Yours in Service,
Payment Coordinator
For ECOWAS
Phone +22968304665
Contact Director;Tony Frank
Email;(atmcard373@gmail.com)
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