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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:
- "urgent assistance" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "aaricardo11@live.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
Fraud email example:
From: "Alegra Ricardo" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <aaricardo11@live.com>
Date: Mon, 23 Sep 2013 19:01:17 -0400
Subject: Re:
Dear Sir,
My name is Alegra Ricardo and i work with a courier company here in the United Kindom. I choose to reach you through this medium because it is the fastest and most reliable way of communication, as I wish to solicit for your urgent assistance in what i strongly believe will be of great benefit to both of us.
During my shift a parcel was brought in for shippment to China and on scanning the said parcel i discovered that its content had 10 pieces of 200kg 24 Karat Gold Bar which is worth Millions of Dollars. I am yet to ship this parcel out because this is an opportunity for me to make a furtune this year for myself and my kids. I cannot take this because if it discovered by my company my job will be at risk and i would go to jail for it but am willing to take that risk alone if you will help me receive the parcel and sell the Gold Bar on the international market. we will share it 60% for you while the remaining 40% come to me.
All i require from you is your honest cooperation to enable us succeed. I guarantee you that this will be executed under legitimate arrangements and i will protect you from any breach of the law. All i want is an assurance that once this parcel gets to you, you will be able to send me some part of the money to take care of my family.
If you wish to work with me, write back soon and if we can work together, i will tell you more about the parcel and how i can get it across to you.
My email is aaricardo11@live.com I will like to hear from you
Regards,
Alegra Ricardo
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Anti-fraud resources:
