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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)
- "a security company " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "hundred thousand united states 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)
- 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.
- kennethosi99@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Dr. Kenneth Kosi" <kenn0k14@msn.com>
Reply-To: <kennethosi99@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 15 Jun 2009 08:17:46 +0000
Subject: REGARD TO YOUR FAMILY NAME
Dear Friend,
My name is Dr. Kenneth Kosi, a legal practitioner with Kosi & Associates in South Africa . I am contacting you because you have the same surname as my deceased client and I believe that you can help me in the transfer of the sum of $11, 500, 000 (Eleven Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) that my deceased client deposited in a security company here in South Africa shortly before he died.
I require your assistance and partnership in transferring the funds out of my country. You will be required to: -
(1) Assist in the transfer of the said sum.
(2) Advise on lucrative areas for subsequent investment.
(3) Assist me in purchase of landed & viable properties.
I have all the information and guidance to enable you and I realize this opportunity. Kindly reconfirm your full names and contact telephone number for confirmation and for me to give you more information about this transaction. Time is not in our favour; please establish secured communication with me through my email address below.
Regards,
Dr. Kenneth Kosi
kennethosi99@gmail.com
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