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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 us 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: Michael Joseph <michyyh11@yahoo.com.hk>
Reply-To: michyyo_003@yahoo.com
Date: Wed, 6 Oct 2010 19:51:42 +0800 (HKT)
Subject: Your Reply Needed
Greetings,
I am in humanitarian mission of rebuild Iraq under the UN operating with the
Engineering unit in Baghdad, Iraq, we discover about $65 Million US dollars
that we want to move out but we need a good partner we can trust. This fund
is legal. Click on the link bellow for more information
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2988455.stm
We will be move these funds to your position for an investment purpose in your
country. But the question is can we trust you when the funds get to you? You
will take your 30% for the assistance and keep the remaining for us in a safe
custody. Your role is to find a safe place for the funds while our own part is
sending it to you.
Your Reply Needed
Michael Joseph
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Anti-fraud resources:
