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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "please indicate your interest" (a common phrase found 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: Mrs Marian John <of8@att.net>
Reply-To: pic_director@yahoo.com
Date: Mon, 31 Jan 2011 08:45:10 -0800 (PST)
Subject: RE
Dear Friend,
Compliment to you. My name is Mrs Marian John I
represent Her Royal Majesty The Queen.
There is this ARAB CONSTRUCTION COMPANY I assisted in a quest for a
contract. they have
been fully paid want to compensate me. as promised.
They now want me to present somebody who will receive the fund on my
behalf.
As a Company rule as in others, we are not allowed to receive gist or
gratification while working for the Royal family hence I am seeking
your assistance.
The Total money involved is: $25.5m. I am ready to give you 30% of
the total sum if you agreed to receive this money on my behalf.
Because of my status, I don't want third party only between both of us.
I have mapped out 5% for any expenses to be incurred during the curse
of the transfer.
All I want from you is your full contact information including
your personal number ^ fax so that I forward it to the company for
quick transaction. Please indicate your interest by mailing back
soonest.
Regards to your family.
I hope to hear from you
Regards,
Mrs Marian John
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Anti-fraud resources:
