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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:
- "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Miss. Eracun Nurgol" <rjclasonica@gmail.com>
Reply-To: bfsmalaysia@w.cn
Date: Sat, 5 Feb 2011 13:11:01 +0800
Subject: REGARDING YOUR PAYMENT
>From Miss. Eracun Nurgol,
British fund settlement Malaysia office.
Subject. Payment approval.
Attn: Beneficiary.
We have received a payment instruction from the British Ministry of
finance to release the sum of USD$6 Million (Six Million United States
Dollars Only), as
your inheritance funds and they have forwarded your payment approvals to us.
Be inform that you are required to forward your below details to Mr.
Norman Palardy through his following information for your fund release
to you.
PAYMENT OFFICE.
Contact Director: Mr. Norman Palady
E-mail: bfs_npalardy@w.cn
(Your required details are stated below: )
Your Full Name: _____________________________
Your Complete Address:_______________________
Name of City of Residence:_____________________
Country:____________________________________
Direct Telephone Number:______________________
Mobile Number:______________________________
Fax Number:__________________________________
Age: _______________________________________
Occupation: __________________________________
Thanks for your understanding.
Yours faithfully,
Miss. Eracun Nurgol
Secretary.
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Anti-fraud resources:
