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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:
- "offshore account" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Dr Michael Leyden" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <michaelleyden001@yahoo.cn>
Date: Sun, 30 May 2010 11:51:20 -0700
Subject: Uncovered!!!
Compliment of the day,
By way of introduction, I am Dr Michael Leyden. I represent a subject, who is the reason I contacted you in this obscure manner. I seek a well versed personality to handle some financial proceedings for our mutual benefits.
Although you might be apprehensive about my email as we have not met before, I have a secured business proposal in the tune of $17.5m to be transferred to an offshore account with your assistance.
I am the only one that knows about the existence of this deposit as far as Bank Of China is concerned, the transaction with our deceased customer concluded when I sent the funds to the firm. All outstanding interactions in relation to the file are just customer services and due process.
They are simply awaiting instructions to release the deposit to any party that comes forward with proof of claims. This is the situation. This bank has spent fruitless time trying to track this man's family; they have investigated for months and have found no family. The investigation has come to an end.
My proposal; I request your assistance in transfering this estate deposited with the bank of China (boc) out of china. You only stand in as the recepient/beneficiary of the estate. We share the proceeds 50/50.
I assure you that I could have the deposit released to you within a few days.
Are you interested?
Best Regards,
Dr Michael Leyden.
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Anti-fraud resources:
