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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.
Fraud email example:
From: <europe444867000@aim.com>
Reply-To: <ralphplatka@aol.com>
Date: Tue, 1 Jun 2010 13:36:08 +0200
Subject: Offer?
Office Address
1.Great Winchester Street
EC2N 2DB LONDON
GREAT BRITAIN
www.db.com
Dear Friend,
My. Name is Ralph Plätke. Working with the Deutsche Bank England I know this message
Might meet you in utmost surprise; however, it’s just my urgent need
for a foreign partner that made me to contact you in regard of this transaction.
I am a banker by profession and i am currently
Holding the post of Director at DEUTSCHE BANK UK.I and my partners have the opportunity
of transferring the left over funds of (Eight.million Euro from our England joint company account to a foreign contractor .
I am inviting you for a business deal Bet ween us in the ratio of 60/40, if you agree to my business proposal
quickly respond back by indicating your willingness to be part of this great business opportunity, equally include
your contacts telephone numbers and further detailsof the project will be forwarded to you as soon as I receive your return mail.
Have a great day.
Yours faithfully,
Mr. Ralph Plätke.
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Anti-fraud resources:
