419 scam: "MR.JOSEPH BRIDGER" <johnny@amcindia.net> RE;

joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet

Try our spam filter!
Free trial for 30 days

Home

About Us

Spam

419/Nigeria

Fraud

Contact

"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)
- "million united states 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)
- ",000,000" (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 mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +447017515910 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
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.
- joseph.bridger@hotmail.co.uk (Hotmail, United Kingdom; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "MR.JOSEPH BRIDGER" <johnny@amcindia.net>
Reply-To: joseph.bridger@hotmail.co.uk
Date: Fri, 4 Mar 2011 23:10:01 +0530
Subject: RE;

Dear Friend,

I am interested in establishing and operating a very viable business as a
means of investment abroad. I do not know too well on how this is done in
your country, so I will need you to help me in this regard.

My preference is any good profit yielding business and I would appreciate
any viable ideas you could come up with. I will also need you to help me
look for properties like homes and lands for sale as I am proposing to
invest the sum of Ten Million United States Dollars($10,000,000.USD) for
this.I do not know if you can and will be of help to me.

For a brief on my personality; my name is Mr.JOSEPH BRIDGER based in
London. I am a retired Business man, formally into private Shipping
Business .I am 62 years of age, married with a wife and 4 lovely kids.

I dropped my Shipping business because it wasn't producing profitable
income. I have had so much problems with the England Authority .My need
for this business proposition and to acquire these properties is very
urgent as I am planning to move out of this country with my family down to
your country. I want you to also help in finding a good home where my
family and I will live in. (Mini Estate)Please I expect your good and
prompt reply so that we can proceed swiftly. I will need your phone and
fax numbers for easier communication with you incase I am unable to
access my emails.

NOTE: PLEASE ONLY CONTACT ME ON THIS EMAIL;
Email Address: joseph.bridger@hotmail.co.uk
Private Number:+44 701 751 5910

Best Regards,
MR.JOSEPH BRIDGER

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam