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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: "Dr William Colgate" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <williamcolgate20304050607080901@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Thu, 19 Aug 2010 11:54:06 -0700
Subject: Dear Friend+
My Dear Friend,
It is my pleasure to inform you that final arrangement has been made with the new Processing Director of Foreign Remittance Dept Mrs. Claire Bells to transfer your fund directly into your bank account. I have perfectly submitted all needed document in your name and favor with the help of my lawyer. This arrangement is very solid with Claire Bells whom I have known during my school day, she is a very good friend of mine. She advised that you should forward your bank account details where the funds will be transferred into. Also the Hard Disk containing the information of your fund transfer in the central computer system will be destroy and replaced with a new one to avoid traces of the transfer. The new Hard Disk that will be use to replace the old one immediately after the fund is transfer into your bank account is what you will pay for and it will cost you $220 only. I hope you understand me. For confirmation of this solid arrangement you can as well reach Mrs. Claire Bells
on her private e-mail address: cl
Finally my friend, whatever we are doing we have to do it fast as the new Processing Director Mrs. Claire Bells advised to avoid Federal Government Auditors knowing this arrangement which will destroy all we have worked for. Also have in mind that I will visit you immediately you receive the fund in your account for us to see face to face and discuss on areas of investment. I wait your immediate reply to this notice so that I can ask Claire Bells to forward to you the name where you will send the money for the new Hard Disk.
Please treat urgently,
Yours truly,
Dr William Colgate
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Anti-fraud resources:
