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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:
- "consignment " (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.
Fraud email example:
From: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: claimoffice1240@yahoo.com
Date: Sat, 18 Jul 2009 10:24:28 -0400
Subject: Attn: Bonafide
Response Needed Urgently
I need your services in a confidential matter regarding consignment
out of a family beneficiary deposit.
This requires a private arrangement.You will receive these funds
under legal claims; all legal documents will be carefully worked out
to ensure a risky free transfer. I am willing to pay a generous
management fee as well as appreciation as soon as this transaction is
completed.
I have all the details. All correspondences will be via email, for
now. The funds in question are quite large. I will expect a straight
answer from you. Yes or no.
If yes, Kindly furnish me with your personal information which must
includ your direct cell phone and fax number, your address and
company name, then lets work out the modalities .
E-mail me as soon as you receive this proposal to enable me
acknowledge the reciept of your email and inform you of what you need
to do.
Thanks and God bless you,
David Ken
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Anti-fraud resources:
