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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.
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. George Chili" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <dr.fredkamala@googlemail.com>
Date: Thu, 26 Nov 2009 14:53:21 +0100
Subject: alternative meets your approvals
Dear
As a result of the present global credit crunch and prevailing economic situation, it is going to presently
be difficult for you to receive your funds via direct wire transfer. Arrangements have how ever just been
concluded with HSBC Security for you to receive your payment by HSBC Bonds which can be discounted
into your account. If this alternative meets your approvals, I will put you in direct contact with the banking
officers in charge of the transaction.
Mr. George Chili.
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Anti-fraud resources:
