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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:
- "huge sum of money" (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.
- andycroesedr@aim.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Dr. Andy Croese" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <peteralfred07@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 26 Nov 2009 07:24:40 -0200
Subject: RE: PROPOSAL!
Tema Oil Refinery (Contract Award Management Department)
BOX GP 20481 Accra Central Ghana.
Email: andycroesedr@aim.com
Attention:
It is understandable that you might be a little bit apprehensive because you do not 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 Dr. Andy Croese, Contract Award Manager of Tema Oil Refinery here in Ghana. I have a business suggestion for you. I will need you to assist me in executing a business project in Ghana to your country. It involves the transfer of a huge sum of money. Everything concerning this transaction shall be legally done without any hitch. Please endeavour to observe utmost discretion in all matters concerning this issue. Once the funds have been successfully transferred into your account, we shall share it in the ratio to be agreed upon by both of us.
I will prefer you reach me on my private email address: andycroesedr@aim.com and I shall furnish you with more information about this operation.
Your earliest response to this mail will be appreciated.
Kind Regards,
Dr. Andy Croese
NB: Reply to my private email: andycroesedr@aim.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
