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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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 sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- 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.
- davidpatrickmarsh@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Webs Recruit <aymen@etba3.com>
Reply-To: davidpatrickmarsh@hotmail.com
Date: Sun, 20 Feb 2011 12:45:47 -0500
Subject: I will like to include your name in the pay list of
Dear Sir/Madam
It took me a lot of time to summon courage to email you. It is a fact
that we have never had any previous business dealings, but I strongly
believe that with understanding and trust we can have a successful
relationship in this transaction.
Am Mr. David P Marsh, interim permanent secretary to the CEO of Bel
Valve Group here in London? We are currently preparing the final list
of
retired staffs in our branches Worldwide and each of them is entitled
to the sum of GBP £800,000.00 as their total retirement benefits that
the company offered to all retired staffs.
I will like to include your name in the pay list of retired staffs,
since am the person preparing the final list of those that are
retired.
If you are interested in this offer, quickly get back to me for more
details at: davidpatrickmarsh@hotmail.com. I am prepared to offer you
40% of the total fund if this transaction go successful.
Regards
Mr. David P Marsh.
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Anti-fraud resources:
