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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:
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr Timothy" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mccarron_timothy@rediffmail.com>
Date: Sun, 8 Aug 2010 01:52:33 +0100
Subject: Reply
Hi,
Re:Be my Trustee
I am Barrister Timothy Mccarron, from London.I got your contact as a
matured person and believe you are trustworthy. I would like you to receive
the transfer of $35 Million united states Dollars on trust for me. I will
like you to stand as the next of kin to my late client Andreas Schranner
whose bank account is presently dormant/ready for claims. Please once you
are interested in my proposal,let me have your full names and addresses to
process the transaction and transfer of the money to you withing 4banking
days. you can view the website below to reconfirm my clients unfortunate
departure.after the successfully transfer to your account,you will rewire
80% of the total fund to me withing 24hrs holding back 20% of the total
sum.as your commission for your assistance.looking foward to your
coperation.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/859479.stm
Regards,
Timothy Mccarron.
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Anti-fraud resources:
