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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)
- 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.
- kunartsandcraftscompany@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: KUN ARTS <kun@live.com>
Reply-To: <kunartsandcraftscompany@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 1 Jan 2003 01:48:17 -0800
Subject: INVITATION TO TREAT!!!
Dear Friend,
This is a management position on behalf of a client Mr. cheung.
Our client urgently needs to move their funds because of the economic
crisis and is seeking an experienced business or company that can
receive and profitable to invest funds in excess of thirty-nine
million U.S. dollars outside Asia. The sum will be paid by our
For more information contact:
Mr. Kun Ying [Secretary of the Board].
KUN ARTS AND CRAFTS COMPANY
ICBC Tower 3 Garden Road, Central Hong Kong
More importantly, it requires:
[1]. Acting as the initial beneficiary of the funds.
[2]. Receive the funds in a business or private bank account.
[3]. Invest / Manage the funds profitably.
The client is willing to pay 5% of its role as a partner beneficiary
of the funds when the money is confirmed your designated bank account.
In addition, 10% post as "management of the Commission" shall be paid
by its advised investment services.
If you prefer to be re-contacted to obtain sensitive information,
please send us your:
1). Full Names
2).Current Residential Address
3). private phone number
4).Occupation
I will want you to reach me on my private
e-mail:(kunartsandcraftscompany@gmail.com).
We await your correspondence and our response will be swift.
Best regards,
Mr. Kun ying
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Anti-fraud resources:
