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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: Dr Chris Smith <drcsmith72@googlemail.com>
Reply-To: Dr Chris Smith <drcsmith72@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 7 May 2010 08:59:20 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Our Opportunity
Good day to you.,
I came upon your contact information on the internet today
and wish to let you know about an opportunity that came up
in the bank where I work. When I hear from you and be sure
we can work together in a mutual way, I will then give you
more details of the deal.
I like you to know that this is about an opportunity that
just came up in the bank where I work and it involves a lot
of money, which in seven banking days we both can succesfully
have that money transferred to your nominated account. I need
a partner that will be trustworthy,working for our collective
interest in this matter, that is why I have chosen to write you.
You will have nothing to worry about as I am available to guide
you and use my position in the bank to facilitate the whole
process to our advantage while you receive the funds on our behalf.
My name is DR CHRIS SMITH and you will know more about me
when I hear from you and please do reply immediately because
time is of essence.
DR CHRIS SMITH
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Anti-fraud resources:
