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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:
- "mrchau01@gala.net" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- "mrchau01@gala.net" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "M. Chau Chin" <info@mail.hk>
Reply-To: mrchau01@gala.net
Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:18:50 +1300
Subject: N/A
PROPOSAL FOR FUNDS TRANSFER.
It is understandable that you might a little bit apprehensive because you don't know me, but I have a lucrative
business proposal of mutual interest to share with you. I got your reference in my search for someone who suits my
proposed business relationship.
I am M. Chau Chin, Executive Director and Chief Financial controller in Hang Seng Bank Ltd, here in Hong Kong. I need
you to help me in execute a business project from Hong Kong to your country. It involves the transfer of funds.
Everything concerning this transaction shall
be legally done without hitch.
Once the funds have been successfully transferred into your account, we will share ratio to be agreed by both of us.
Contact me on my private e-mail (mrchau01@gala.net) I will provide you with more information about this transaction as
soon as I receive a positive response from you.
Best regards,
E-mail: mrchau01@gala.net
M. Chau Chin
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Anti-fraud resources:
