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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:
- "utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Capt Frank Markovski" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <captfrankmarkovski@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Mon, 27 Sep 2010 00:35:53 +0100
Subject: Business Proposition
Good Day,
I am Capt. Frank Markovski, a soldier serving with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)in Afghanistan.
I have a proposition that will be of mutual benefit. It involves the sum of US$120 Million. The funds is part of the funds that our unit discovered inside the Tora Bora while fighting in Afghanistan.
I have devised a means of moving these funds out of Afghanistan and I need you to help me in receiving the funds and ensuring that it disappears into the economy of your country when you get it. All arrangements have been put in place to move the funds out of this country legally and I just need your acceptance and everything will be done.
As a serving Military officer,I can not be parading such amount hence the need to get someone that will receive the funds on my behalf until my tour in Afghanistan is concluded. 40% of the entire funds is your portion for your assistance in this transaction.
If you are willing to proceed, the requested information is needed to expedite action.
1. Your Name
2. Telephone and Mobile Numbers
3. Occupation and Age.
It is of paramount importance that you keep the details of the transaction to yourself. Utmost confidentiality and secrecy are what is needed from you in order to successfully complete the movement of the funds from Afghanistan.
However, If you are not capable of handling the transaction, please delete this message and do not tell anyone about it.
Regards
Capt Frank Markovski
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Anti-fraud resources:
