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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:
- "waiting for your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "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.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- kellie-mccoy1@hotmail.com (Hotmail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Kellie McCoy" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <kellie-mccoy1@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 14 Jan 2011 16:30:03 -0800
Subject: SEEKING YOUR KIND HELP...
I am Kellie Mc Coy a captain and company commander unit here at Baghdad in Iraq. I have 3.8 million Euro that i have moved out of the country successfully .I need a good partner someone i can trust .I have made a perfect arrangements with a Diplomatic courier service that moved the funds out of Iraq as personal properties.
The most important thing is can i trust you Once the funds gets to you? If you are interested and respect the rule of HONESTY I will furnish you with more details but the whole process is simple and we must keep a low profile at all times. I look forward to your reply and your maximum co-operation, and I thank you in advance as I anticipate your co-operation waiting for your urgent response.
Best Regards
Kellie Mc Coy
Baghdad Iraq
Middle East
kellie-mccoy1@hotmail.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
