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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.
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
- 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.
- mrsrizap1961@yahoo.com.hk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs Riza Perla" <wampriza@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: mrsrizap1961@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Tue, 15 Dec 2009 18:26:46 -0600 (CST)
Subject: Hope to hear from you
Good day,
I Mrs. Riza Perla.I would like you to receive the transfer of US$10.2
Million.My client did not declare any next of kin in his official papers
including the paper work of his bank deposit. Against this backdrop, my
suggestion to you is that I would like you as a foreigner to stand as the
next of kin to our client so that you will be able to receive his funds. I
want you to know that I have had everything planned out so that we can
come out successful.
I have contacted an attorney that will prepare the necessary document that
will back you up as the next of kin to my client. You will stand as the
next of kin to my late client whose account is presently dormant for
claims.I will be in charge of everything else. I will assume all
responsibilities for this endeavor so you don't have to worry about any
legal ramifications. This should be kept very secret and confidential.
Your urgent response is highly anticipated so please email me through this
email address:
Email: mrsrizap1961@yahoo.com.hk
Hope to hear from you soon .
Kind Regards,
Mrs. Riza Perla.
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Anti-fraud resources:
