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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:
- "hundred thousand 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)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: MADAM RUTH <madam.ruth1@btinternet.com>
Reply-To: madamruth@ymail.com
Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2010 10:27:04 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: My Offer!
My Offer!
Â
Dear Mr/Mrs,
Â
This message is from the national president of Islamic Woman Association London, United Kingdom, and our delegates has inform us about the conditions of your governments so we are donating these sums of $4.6USD (Four Million & Six Hundred Thousand United State Dollars ) for the support of your community development project.
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For example, we want you to use part of these funds to support those orphanages in some rural areas especially in educations affairs and Health care.
Â
Nevertheless, we need your present here in London to come and collect these sums of $4.6USD (Four Million & Six Hundred Thousand United State Dollars) in cash to avoid any inconveniences; or if you can not come to London my family lawyer  can send the funds to you via British Express Courier Service or bank to bank transfers for security purpose.
Â
Â
Forward all your full information’s in order to release these funds to your care before I will travel out of the city to United State for my surgery operation.
Â
Reply immediately,
Â
>From Madam Ruth Ahmed.
London-England/ United Kingdom.
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Anti-fraud resources:
