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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "huge sum of money" (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)
- "my names are " (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.
- 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.
- macthpson@aol.com (AOL; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "MAC THOMPSON" (may be fake)
Date: Sat, 5 Mar 2011 16:59:44 +0530
Subject: URGENT ASSISTANCE NEEDED
Greetings,
My names are MAC THOMPSON an American, personal assistant to the GADHAFI'S FAMILY LIBYA. The western countries have imposed sanctions on the Family and other government officials. Their entire asset has been freeze by the International community including a travel ban on them. Presently I am in possession of a huge sum of money in my name on behalf of the family worth $10m.I will like to go into a confidential agreement with you for the safe keeping of the money. Do not worry about how the money will get to you I will make arrangement for that. All I need is your support on the safe keeping of it. Also your ideas on what we shall do with the fund in respect to Investment as I heard there are good investment opportunities in your country. For this good will I have mapped out %20 of the total fund for you and another %10 for any expenses.
I will need you direct contact details for further communication. Email - macthpson@aol.com
REGARDS,
MAC THOMPSON
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Anti-fraud resources:
