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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 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)
- 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.
- mr.christopherbrown1@yahoo.com (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "FROM GRANT PAYMENT CENTER OFFICE" <info@unitednations.org>
Reply-To: grantpayment101@consultant.com
Date: Sun, 20 May 2018 02:27:45 +0200
Subject: STOP CONTACTING THE WRONG OFFICE FOR YOUR FUND
GRANT PAYMENT CENTER
(GPC) U.S.A
Attn:
It has been brought to our notice that you have not been paid your long overdue grant payment by the UN. This is due to some corrupt hoodlums, and some corrupt government officials who try to divert your money into their own private pocked. We have arranged your payment through International ATM Card Payment Center,this is part of an instruction passed by the United Nations in respect to all over delayed payment.
The Payment Center department will send your ATM Card valued sum of ($8.5 Million United States Dollars). which you are to use in accessing your fund in any ATM MACHINE located any where in the world, and the maximum withdrawal daily limit is US$5000.00. So kindly contact the Payment Center with the below information, Most importantly you are advised to send your full data to him, which includes:
Contact Name: Mr. Christopher Brown
Email: mr.christopherbrown1@yahoo.com
Tel:1-502-385-5663
Full Name:
Current Residential Address.......
Direct Phone Number.......
Country........
All have to do now is contact Mr. Christopher Brown so that he will send you with the two delivery options to enable you choose from the options you prefer and the one you can afford. Note if you are not ready to comply with the obvious delivery fee out of the two delivery options Mr. Christopher Brown will send you do not contact him.
Thanks for your co-operation.
Best Regards,
DR BELL LORRIS
GRANT PAYMENT CENTER
(GPC) GLOBAL BANK
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Anti-fraud resources:
