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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:
- "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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs.Adaora Umeoji" <mrsdonnawilliams011@gmail.com>
Reply-To: adoraumeoji03@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 4 Apr 2017 07:46:42 -0700
Subject: Urgent Attention
Zenith Bank PLC Lagos Nigeria
ATM payment Settlement Dept
Office of Mrs.Adaora Umeoji
Tel:+234-908-514-2094
Re: Latest Information On Your Unclaimed ATM card payment.
We use this opportunity to confirm from you if really you have sent
your overseas representative (Name John Daniel Arteaga) from 4700 #1
Alum Rock Aveune San Jose, California. 95127 U.S.A to come and
activate your ATM CARD on your behalf. He further stated that you were
sick and could not get this straightened out this time that because
the year is running down so you gave him the power of authority to
come and activate your card and that we should hand over the card to
him to avoid confiscation by the bank.
We decided to write to your email and if thee is no outcome of reply
from this message from you within 24hrs it will be assumed that his
information is correct then we shall work with your representative and
do what he has requested.
You are require to send us this information below:
(1) Full Names:
(2) Nationality:
(3) Passport No:
(4) Direct Phone Number:
(5) Contact Email Address:
Who so ever receive this letter should put us through to avoid handing
over your ATM CARD with US$5.5m to stranger.
We look forward to immediate response .
Regards.
Mrs.Adaora Umeoji
Executive Director
Zenith Bank PLC.
Tel:+234-908-514-2094
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Anti-fraud resources:
