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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: Abdulhafid Zlitin <emailemail235@yahoo.cn>
Reply-To: abdulhafid@zbavitu.net
Date: Fri, 12 Apr 2013 14:53:23 +0800 (CST)
Subject: KINDLY GET BACK TO ME.
Dear Friend, Good-day with hope my mail meets you in good health.My name is Abdulhafid Zlitni,a colonel in late Moumar Gaddaffi'sregime and as the case maybe,i am on the run.I want to seek your consent to move the some of 28 million Eurointo you account before my arrival with my family into your country and you will also assist me in any investment wedecided.I came across your id in email directory and decide to write you.The United nation and New Libyan Government is out to confiscate any cash and assets that belong to any member ofthe fallen regime of Moumar Gaddaffi.No risk involved if the secret is maintained within us.I'mwilling to give you 25% of the total sum for your assistance.I will proceed to inform you more about the funds and how it'sgoing to work when i receive a positive response from you.My other private alternative email id is,abdulhafid@zbavitu.net Best Regard,Abdulhafid Zlitin
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Anti-fraud resources:
