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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:
- "hundred thousand 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)
- "international remittance department" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs.Mary Adams" <u----987654322@att.net>
Reply-To: dullowa@w.cn
Date: Fri, 4 Feb 2011 15:34:29 -0800 (PST)
Subject: COMPENSATION FOR SCAM VICTIMS,
The united nations and the British high commission along with United state has decried the alarming rate of scam and other fraudulent activities carried out around the world, Going forward, a resolution has being reached to put an end to such fraudulent practise and also to help compensate the victims.
We are obliged to inform you that all payment has been channel to the coutts bank London as one of the reputable bank here in London. In view of this, we are contacting you now, and giving the assurance that your fund will be released to you within the shortest period once we confirm the authenticity of your claim.
The IMF conjunction with the WORLD BANK is working tirelessly not only to recompense the victims To this end conclusively note that from the fund made available the sum of USD3.1000.000 (Three million one hundred thousand united state dollars) will be paid to you as a compensation.
We therefore advise that you feed us with this information so as to enable us do the needful on your claim.
1. Your full name:
2. Address:
3. Phone and fax number:
4. Your age and current occupation:
5. Working id/int"l:
Get back to us now for immediate releasing of your fund.
Mrs.Mary Adams,
International remittance department.
Foreign payment office London.
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Anti-fraud resources:
