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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:
- "money laundering" ("anti-terrorist", "anti-money laundering" or "drug-free" certificates are a common way for criminals in fake lottery scams and other Advance Fee scams to get you to send money to them. There are no such certificates in the real banking world. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "James Ibori" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mr.jibori@hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 19 May 2010 21:26:08 +0100
Subject: Interested.
Attn: Director/ CEO.
This is a Management Placement for confidential joint venture partnership.
I am interested in an urgent relocation of huge account due to the economic instability and I am looking for an experienced business person or company that can receive and profitably invest the money which is in excess of $28 Million USD in your country.
This money has no encumbrance and not connected with Money Laundering or Terrorists activities and Drug. Most importantly, the sum will be paid directly into a business/private bank account to be provided by you for the purpose.
If you have the capacity as a partner to receive, to manage and to invest these funds, send me your contact details:
[1] Full Names:
[2] Contact address:
[3] Cell phone and Direct Telephone No:
Upon receipt of your response, I will send you a contract agreement in furtherance of this venture.
I expect your response to this proposal shall be swift.
Yours,
James Ibori.
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Anti-fraud resources:
