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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)
- "dear beneficiary," (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: MR MICHAEL CONE <mr_michealcone@sbcglobal.net>
Reply-To: michaelcone1@live.com
Date: Sat, 28 Aug 2010 07:15:22 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: INVESTIGATION ON YOUR PAYMENT FILE
Nigeria Investigation Bureau
Presidential Committee on Foreign Payments
12A, Awolowo Lane, Ikoyi
Lagos, Nigeria.
Dear Beneficiary,
                          INVESTIGATION ON YOUR PAYMENT FILE
Today investigation on your payment file and reason for delaying your own payment approved since.
Please are you still alive/dead? Did you sign any dead assignment in favor of this (John Smith) to receive your funds today?
This investigation bureau office has endorsed the actual time for the final accomplishment of your payment. Re-confirm to us immediately and receive your overdue
approved payment/fund as you fill this form below:
Name......................
Address...................
Nationality................
Age, Sex..................
Occupation.................
Company Name...............
Telephone Number............
Drivers license/Int’l Passport
Do reply immediately for confirmation and receive your final approved funds of $11 million united state dollars.
Best regards,
Mr Michael Cone (Chief Investigation Officer)
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Anti-fraud resources:
