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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 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)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
Fraud email example:
From: mike mensah <mike_mensah02@att.net>
Reply-To: mensah.mike@yahoo.com
Date: Wed, 12 Jan 2011 08:41:02 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Good Day Dear,
Good Day Dear,
Please let not this proposal come to you as an embarrass, I am here searching for a reliable foreigner to run this claim with me.
Am a director in charge under GOLD DUST COMPANY TRADING here in Ghana. I Wish to present you as the true next of kin to our deceased customer so that this sum of ($35 MILLION UNITED STATE DOLLARS) can be transfer to your bank account and will be share 50 to 50 percent for both of us on our successful of this claim.
I will give you the full details of this transaction and on how this claim will carry on once you show your interest
And Please provide me your Mobile telephone number for easy communication;
Awaiting to hear from you
mike menssah
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Anti-fraud resources:
