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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 us 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 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: Kelly Wells <kellywells4good@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: Kelly Wells <privateoffficeboxs@yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 9 Nov 2017 22:05:55 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: Approved ATM Cash Card
Compliments,
This is to Inform you that an ATM Card Number: 9983 0830 7403 6867 worth $3.5Million US Dollars has been accredited by the Federal Government of Benin Republic as Fund Compensation currently approved in your favour. The package has been released today for delivery. You are receiving this email message in order to fully compensate you that have had problems receiving their funds or lost funds in the process.
In the light of the above you are therefore to contact Auditor assistant Mr.Roland Jones on telephone line/E-Mail Address stated below and do send him your contact address/information where you want the Bank ATM CASH CARD to be sent to you.
We have registered the ATM Cash Card under Fed-Ex Courier Benin Republic is charged to deliver your package to you.
Stated below is his contact information.
Mr.Roland Jones
rolandjjones@outlook.com
+229-686-78099
Kindly Note that the delivery of your ATM visa Card is still on hold pending when we receive the above information from you to process the package. further details will be sent to you after this time out.
So feel free to get in touch with Auditor to send the Bank Card to you without any further delay.
With My Best Regards,
Dr.Kelly Well
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Anti-fraud resources:
