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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:
- "huge sum of money" (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)
- "urgent assistance" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr Fuzile" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <lungiisafuzille@Safe-mail.net>
Date: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 04:37:28 -0700
Subject: your privacy.
Hello.
My apology for coming into your privacy. i hope you are still reliable and can still be trusted.
I need your urgent assistance in transferring a huge sum of money
immediately to your company/personal account for investments in your country. (amount undisclosed for security reason).
If you can cooperate with me,you have to:
(1) scan and send to me via email attachment, your drivers license or international passport.
(2)You must give it your full attention,and be following my instructions as soon as the investment fund is confirmed in your bank account.
Once i read from you,i will give you more details .
Please note that this is legitimate.
After transaction you will have 25- 30% of the annual investment turnover of the total fund.
regards,
Lungisa Fuzile.
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Anti-fraud resources:
