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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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- 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.
- alexandratalbot@hotmail.fr (Hotmail, France; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Alexanra Talbot <mrsaliceafarah@gmail.com>
Reply-To: alexandratalbottt@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 13 Sep 2017 17:41:15 +0100
Subject: RE: YOUR FUND PAYMENT THROUGH ONLINE PAYMENT OR ATM SWIFT CARD
Dear Customer,
We have received an official letter regarding the Release of your Approved
Fund of US$ 4.2 million Dollars part payment. To make everything fast and
easy we decided to pay you through an Online Bank Account with our Bank or
through our ATM Swift Card Payment System, we can also pay you by Key
Tested Telex (K.T.T) Wire Transfer through Bank to Bank Account (Swift
System). This is to enable you receive your Fund conveniently into any
nominated Bank Account of your choice in your country. Kindly get back to
me for more details through my private email address:
alexandratalbot@hotmail.fr
Login details or ATM Swift Card and instructions on how to use your ATM
Swift Card / access your Online Account and effect transfers to your
designate Bank account by yourself will be emailed to you, you are required
to provide the following information for further opening of a
non-residential Online Bank Account or your Swift ATM Card on your behalf
today.
Personal Information
(1) Full Names:
(2) Complete Address:
(2) Nationality:
(3) Passport No: or National ID Card NO.:
(4) Direct Phone Number:
(5) Contact Email Address:
(6) Preferred Currency For Account:
Yours Faithfully,
Mr. Alexanra Talbot
Foreign Payment Dept.
United Bank for Africa (UBA) SA Benin.
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Anti-fraud resources:
