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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:
- "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.
- 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.
- micakwe@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Michael Akwesi" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <micakwe@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 10 May 2016 09:26:00 -0000
Subject: *****SPAM***** OFFER
My Dear Friend,
Please forgive my intrusion upon your privacy if this message comes to you as a surprise and might offend your personality for contacting you through this medium. The sensitivity and urgency of this transaction warranted my actions. My name is Michael Akwesi; I am the controller of field operations Ghana custom excise and preventative service responsible for the monitoring, regulation and inspection of exports and imports into Ghana. I was glancing through the internet when I saw your contact and was convince that you could be a good, trustworthy representative and a partner as well .I have 76 kilograms of alluvial gold dust in stock ready for immediate sale OR alternatively send to you for safe keeping till my arrival to meet you in your country. I will give you more information as regards to the source of the gold and also discuss further modalities with you like your commission if you indicate your interest to work with me.
Kindly leave your telephone # if you are interested for easier and faster communication.
I look forward doing good business with you.
Best regards,
Michael Akwesi
Reply to:micakwe@gmail.com
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https://www.avast.com/antivirus
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Anti-fraud resources:
