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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:
- "we advice you" (this email uses bad English)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "ecowas " (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- 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.
- officeofthegovernorinfounit@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Info" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <davidjackson01000@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Sat, 13 Apr 2019 05:02:18 -0700
Subject: Thanks for youasr understanding
Attention:
I am obliged to inform you that we have successfully resolved all related problems concerning the release of your compensation Fund (ATM) as instructed via Ecowas Financial intelligence unit.
Nb, We received email this morning from Dr. Stefan Mittermair, He told us that you authorize him to claim your ATM card in your favour that you have been in the hospital for weeks, therefore he forwarded his contact details as to divert your ATM card fund.
The ATM Card with Security Pin Numbers shall be delivered to you via courier Service, depending your choice.In order to proceed with this transaction, you will be required to contact the agent in-charge (MR. ANTHONY RICH ) via e-mail.Kindly look below to find appropriate contact information:
CONTACT AGENT NAME: MR. ANTHONY RICH
Email..... officeofthegovernorinfounit@gmail.com
You will be required to e-mail him with the following information:
FULL NAME:
ADDRESS:
CITY:
STATE:
ZIP CODE:
DIRECT CONTACT NUMBER:
OCCUPATION:
We advice you to stop all the communications with everyone regarding your payment as we have short listed to deliver to you and now urge you to comply and receive your ATM Card funds.
Thanks for youasr understanding you follow instructions while I wait to hear from you today.
Yours in Services
United Nations/ FBI
Agent David Jackson
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Anti-fraud resources:
