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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 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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Reeder Bruce <brsusa@ciudad.com.ar>
Reply-To: sag.brucereeder@ozu.es
Date: Sat, 4 Sep 2010 13:32:27 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: I need your answer.
LET US WORK AS TRUSTED FRIENDS.
With a very desperate need for assistance, I have summed up courage to contact you.I wish to inform you this letter is not a hoax mail and I urge you to treat it serious, I believe it is only a day people meet and become great friends and business partners. I write you this proposal in good faith, believing I can trust you with the information I am revealing to you. I am presently working in Iraq with an international organization. I found your contact particulars in an address journal.I am seeking your assistance to evacuate the sum of(US$10.635 Million Dollars) Ten Million, Six Hundred And Thirty Five Thousand US Dollars to your country or any other safe country of your choice,if you can assure me the money will be safe in your care until I complete my service here in Iraq.
SOURCE OF MONEY:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2988455.stm
Some money in various currencies was discovered concealed in barrels with piles of weapons and ammunitions at a location near one of late Saddam sold palaces during a rescue operation. It was agreed by all parties present that the money be shared amongst us.This US$10.635 Million Dollars is my share. Get in touch with me soonest so we can reach agreement of understanding and proceed without delay.
Respectfully,
Bruce Reeder
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Anti-fraud resources:
