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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "hundred thousand 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 "dying widow" scam.
Fraud email example:
From: "Halima Cunha" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <halimacunha@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 29 Jan 2010 05:12:26 -0800
Subject: CAN I LAY MY TRUST ON YOU?
Dear Friend,
I apologise if this mail message does not suit your personal or business ethics.I write with sincerity to seek your cooperation and
assistance.I am writing from the hospital with my laptop and would need no telephone conversation to this effect because of my health
problem.
My name is Mrs.Halima Cunha from Philipine. I was married to Late Mr. Mohamed Cunha who worked with Philipine Embassy in Malaysia before
his death in 2007. We were married for eleven years without a child.
Since his death I decided not to re-marry or get a child outside my matrimonial home which is against my Islamic believe. When my late
husband was alive he deposited ( Three Million, five hundred thousand US Dollars) in a bank in Malaysia. My intentions was to clear the fund
from the bank at the middle of last year for investment outside the country. But unfortunately i developed heart cancer sickness, and my
condition is not getting better anymore and the doctor has said i only have a limited time to live. Because of my condition, i have
decided to look for a foreigner who can invest this fund the way I am going to instruct herein. However i want a trust worthy, reliable and
Allah fearing Man or Woman that will utilise this fund the way i am going to instruct him or her.
First i would want you to assure me that you will handle this project degilently as i would recommend. Having said this i would need the
following informations from you.
1)Your full name and address.
2)Your marital status
3)Your occupation/Profession/Direct phone number
As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you the contact detail of our family lawyer who would help you legally to clear the fund
from the bank.
I wish to receive your response immediately. And please always pray for me.
I remain yours sincerely.
Mrs. Halima Cunha
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