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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Thomas zarnabe" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <auditnationdept@live.com>
Date: Wed, 7 Jul 2010 08:23:40 -0700
Subject: Irrevocable release of your fund!
Dear friend,
We are glad to acquaint you with this proposal for a financial assistance render to you by World Organization Human Rights referring to release payment cable send to Citi private Bank on your behalf, in respect of your over due inheritance fund which you are entitle to claim as result of beneficiary and approved through (international monetary fund unit) I.M.F, set up by United Nations to each individual starting from the age of 18 years above Including the retired personalities is among the list entitle to claim the fund.
In view of this second chapter, kindly quote the amount in question to pay you in tone of $2.5 Million USD as you email the principle payment officer of (Citi-bank) with the following contact details below:
Name: DANIEL J. WILLIAMS
Email: citi-group@w.cn
Location: Houston TX, USA
Try updating me once you hear from the said finance institutions appoint to handle the transaction for your mutual benefit
Regard
Mr. Thomas zarnabe
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Anti-fraud resources:
