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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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)
- "million united states 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)
- "there is no risk involved" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
- 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.
- amorgan2@sify.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Morgan" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <alfredm2010@mail.mn>
Date: Sun, 18 Jul 2010 14:20:27 +0100
Subject: Dear Friend
Alfred Morgan & co
8b Ruben House Accra
Ghana.
Dear Friend,
I am Alfred Morgan information officer to Asset Management Plc. Pardon me for sending this email to your private e-mail box. I just need to sketch your attention to matter arising at Asset Management Center London concerning a client who shares the same last name as yours, who here in after shall be referred to as a customer to Asset Management London.
A client of Asset Management with the same last name as yours died as a result of heart-related condition on March 12Th 2002. His heart condition was due to the death of all members of his family in the crash AF4590 disaster on JULY 2000. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/859479.stm
The late Client account balance with the bank worth ($12M).Twelve Million United States Dollars before his untimely death. Hence we are unable to locate his next of kin to this end. Asset Management decided that you come forward to claim the fund because the account will soon be confiscated if no one come for the claim.
For more information please contact me with below address. I will then provide full details of the inheritance to you as there is no risk involved. I can be reached with below address for more updates ( amorgan2@sify.com )
Include below information in your next reply so that I can submit Application to Asset Management to commence the transfer in your name.
Full name and address...................
Contact telephone/Fax....................
Age......................................
Occupation................................
Sincerely Yours.
Alfred Morgan.
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