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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:
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "hundred thousand 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)
- "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.
- 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.
- atm.paycenter7@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. JAMES B. DAVID" <dr.patrick.f12@gmail.com>
Reply-To: atm.paycenter7@yahoo.com
Date: Mon, 3 Apr 2017 16:10:03 -0700
Subject: ATM CARD PAYMENT CENTER
ATM CARD PAYMENT CENTER
33 OKOTA ROAD LAGOS/NIGERIA
FROM THE DESK OF MR. JAMES B. DAVID
EMAIL: (atm.paycenter7@yahoo.com)
TEL:+234 7014 520 519
Attention To You My Dear,
Please what is going on? I hope and believe there is no problem. I am
writing to let you know that your ATM Card that worth USD$8.5 M, Eight
Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars is ready to be
delivered to you and we are only waiting to receive the reconfirmation
of your home address where you want your ATM card to be delivered and
Telephone number.
We already have your home address here but still want you to
re-confirm it to me so that we can check if it is correct with what we
have here and to avoid sending your ATM card to the wrong person. You
are required to reconfirm the below information to enable us proceed
with the shipment now as directed by the authorities.
Full Name:
Mailing Address:
Your Age:
Direct Phone / Mobile Number:
Also remember that it will cost you only $68 for delivery.. Please I
want to assure you that the only fee you will pay to receive your ATM
Card is $68 no more.. Immediately the $68 is received from you, your
Card shall be delivered to you without delay... BELOW IS THE
INFORMATION FOR YOU TO SEND THE $68.
Receiver: IBE UCHENNA
Address: LAGOS NIGERIA
Amount: $68
Question: WHEN
Answer: NOW
Be informed that everything is in progress and the shipment will take
place immediately we hear from you with the $68 fee and your address..
Thank you and may the almighty God bless you and your family as you
serve him with all heart.
Thank you,
Mr. JAMES B. DAVID
DIRECTOR ATM CARD PAYMENT CENTER.
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Anti-fraud resources:
