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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)
- "million 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)
- "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Christian Joseph" <barrmrsjeanroyrghf@gmail.com>
Reply-To: christainjoseph321@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 6 Feb 2017 02:43:56 -0800
Subject: REPLY TO THIS EMAIL: christian_josep@aol.com 030
Dear Friend,
How are you and Family doing? I am wondering why you keep silence on
since on this our transaction; please it will be nice if you do let me
know your position or your plans now. I had meeting over the weekend
with authorities concerning the conclusion of the transaction so
please do reply urgent together with your particulars. Bank have
agree to pay you’re funds through INTERNATIONAL CERTIFIED BANK DRAFT
which you can make withdraw at any country/bank of your choice so do
forward to me your contact info so to enable me commence action.
I have submitted all related documents that will empower the release
of the fund $2.5Million Dollars to you as they have promised that you
will be receiving the funds in bit by bit, first they want to issue
you $2.5million and as soon as you clear it then will issue you
another one because of the INTERNATIONAL MONEY restrictions, even me
love the idea so write me urgent so I can forward your contact info to
the authority to issue it and send to you.
Here is my MOBILE: +234-9059007953 so call me soon as soon as you
reply. And thanks for your kind understanding.
Regards
Mr. Christian Joseph.
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