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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:
- "million us dollars" (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: "Kwesi Williams" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <info17alpha@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 11 Nov 2004 16:31:28 -0800
Subject: YOUR MONEY IS SENT TO YOU
Hello,
I am Samson Kwesi from ICB. Please don't be suprised that am seeking your help in order to receive the sum of 9 Million US dollars as a result of surplus profit we made last year.i have a few optionS like moving the mOney to CITY BANK OF NEW YORK and you furnsih them with your bank details to remit the sum into your account. other options abound . so please let me know
If you will be so kind to accept my offer,fully, I will be glad to give you more details. I am ready to offer you 30% of the total amount for your efforts. If interested please respond to me with your full details such
as
full name
Age
Occupation
Marital status
Company name
Position in company
Phone
Fax
Email
And if possibel a scan copy of your ID
Mobile: +233-272301117
Regards
Samson Kwesi Williams.
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Anti-fraud resources:
