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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.
Fraud email example:
From: OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENCY <offic---presidency@att.net>
Reply-To: thepresidence@yahoo.com
Date: Fri, 11 Mar 2011 02:07:32 -0800 (PST)
Subject: PRESIDENT APPROVAL ON YOURS INHERITANCE/CONTRACT PAYMENT!
FROM: THE PRESIDENCY
FGN /PRESS/ PRS /VOL-011
Date: 11th March, 2011
Atten: Beneficiary,
Re: Transfer of twelve million United States dollars only of your inheritance approved by the President on your name.
This is to inform you that the sum of $12m-Twelve million United States dollars only have been approved for immediate transfer to you by his Excellency, the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria.
You are therefore required to reconfirm your banking detail for immediate transfer of fund to you. (Please include your private detail and current telephone number).
Acknowledge as soon as you receive this message.
Yours faithfully,
Senator Bob Oteh
Senior Special Adviser
To the President on (Foreign payment)
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Anti-fraud resources:
