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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 united states 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: Keith Dobbs <reservations@grandmillenniumkl.com>
Reply-To: <infotransac03@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Sat, 8 Jan 2011 15:52:41 +0000
Subject: Treat As Urgent.
It is with great pleasure that bring you this good news concerning the release of your fund.
The British government in conjunction with the international communities have reached a consensus regarding over due fund(7.6 Million United States Dollars) like yours.It has being agreed that fund belonging to beneficiaries be released to them after the certification exercise has being completed by them.The certification exercise will be carried out from the origin of the fund ,which is West Africa and must be completed by them,consequently,leading to the release of your fund.
This is the final and only stage,I have done everything within my capacity to include your case file in this certification exercise.There is nothing more I will be able to do if you miss this opportunity.
All you have to do is reconfirm your personal details below;
Your Full Names and Address:
Age:
Occupation:
Nationality:
Telephone and Mobile Numbers:
I await your response.
Regards,
Keith Dobbs.
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Anti-fraud resources:
