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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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 u.s 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)
- ",500,000" (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)
- "with absolute secrecy" (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.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- frank_kevin_ca@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: MAJOR FRANK GEORGE <unofficeghana02@gmail.com>
Reply-To: unofficeghana01@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 21 Oct 2010 04:27:19 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: READ THIS MAIL CAREFULLY
READ THIS MAIL CAREFULLY
Greetings Dear,
Â
Good day to you and your family, I apologize if the content here under
is contrary to your moral ethics but please treat with absolute secrecy
and personal.
Â
My name is Major Frank George from United States Of America, i am the
leader of the Third infantry Division in Iraq. I and some military
officials are presenting to you a business of mutual benefit. It’s about
an investment project worth US$7,500,000 which we want to invest in
your country. This business needs your urgent attention, honesty and
secrecy.
We have (SEVEN MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND U.S DOLLARS) in our custody
that we want to entrust in your care. We assure you that the fund will
get to you hitch free but you have to assure us that you will protect
the fund until we come over to your country.
You can visit the web site below to know the source of this fund.
 Go to this below web links to read about events that took place here in
Iraq and how we got the fund.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2988455.stm
Â
We are ready to invest this fund in your country now because presently
The United States Government has withdrawn all the American Soldiers
from Iraq.
You will be entitled to 20% of the total Fund for being our partner to
receive and secure the fund in our behalf.
I really hope to hear from you before further discussion.
Kindly reply me in my confidential email address
frank_kevin_ca@hotmail.com
Regards
Frank George (Major)
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Anti-fraud resources:
