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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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:
- "i will like you to " (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.
- 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.
- suzannemubarak62@o2.pl (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs. suzanne Mubarak" <suzannemubarak62@yahoo.com.ph>
Reply-To: "Mrs. suzanne Mubarak" <suzannemubarak62@o2.pl>
Date: Wed, 26 Oct 2011 19:12:04 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: Hello Friend
Hello Friend,
I am Mrs. Suzanne H. Mubarak the wife of the steps down Egyptian President
which is presently sick in prison, I will like you to assist me and family to
retrieve the sum of Fifty-Three Million United States Dollars deposited with a Finance
Firm for any profitable investment under your supervision in your country.
This is all we have left because the present government of Egypt has
confiscated all our assets in Egypt and outside the country, if you will like
to assist me as a partner then indicate your interest. A reasonable amount in United
States Dollars shall be given to you as commission, and you will be our investment
manager in your country as all amounts would be kept in your account for your
management for a period of 5 years. All
other information relative to the presence of the funds will be revealed to you
as we progress on. I will like my proposal to be kept confidential and you can
reach me urgently on my confidential and personal e-mail:suzannemubarak62@o2.pl
Please let all communication remain by email due to the restriction given to us
by the present Government of Egypt.
Thank you and God Bless,
Best regards,
Mrs. Suzanne Mubarak
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Anti-fraud resources:
