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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)
- "can i trust you?" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "SGT. Matt Lowell" <lowell2030@bellsouth.net>
Reply-To: lowell2020@hotmail.com
Date: Sun, 30 May 2010 13:02:46 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Hello
Hello pal,
I need your assistance, I Am SGT. Matt Lowell and i'm with the Engineering unit here in Ba'qubah Iraq for the United States, I have about 43.7 million US dollars that I want to move out of the country. I need a good partner,someone I can trust to actualize this venture.The money is from oil deal and legal.
But I am moving it by diplomatic means to your house directly or a safe and secured location of your choice using diplomatic courier services. But can I trust you? Once the funds get to you, you take your 30% out and keep 70% until i come to meet with you. Your own part of this deal is to find a safe place where the funds can be sent to. Mine is sending it to you.
If you are interested reply and I will furnish you with more details.
Urgently awaiting your response.
SGT. Matt Lowell
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Anti-fraud resources:
