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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 united state 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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Ms.Helen S. Doe" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <helendoe404@rocketmail.com>
Date: Tue, 15 Jun 2010 16:08:08 -0700
Subject: Urgent Investment Help
Dear
Happy new year
I am Ms.Helen Samule Doe,the daughter of the former Minister. I have the sum of $9M (Nine Million United State Dollars), in Security Company and my priority is where to invest this fund outside my country. I urgently need your assistance in providing a reliable and genuine trade or company where i can invest the fund and immediately meet you in your country for settlement. Please i will kindly welcome your advice too.
Send your confidential phone number so that i can reach you when necessary, I need your support and seriousness. I am presently on exile now.
Your urgent response is expected. You can call me on this number +233-542-359-986. for more info.
Ms.Helen Doe
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Anti-fraud resources:
