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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 sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- ",500,000" (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)
- "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 next of kin scam.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Adams Rees" <fund204-----p62f@att.net>
Reply-To: adamsrees@hotmail.com
Date: Tue, 8 Mar 2011 08:43:44 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Reply me.
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am Mr. Adams Rees a banker in London; my late client an expatriate was killed an unknown circumstance and before his death, deposited a total sum of $22,500,000.00 U.S Dollars with the bank here in London. I decided to search for any of my late client's relative which has been very difficult for me before the money get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank management because they have given me a mandate to present any family heirs to my late client.
This is why I am writing to you so that I will assist you claim this funds. I will prepare every operation that will assist your claim. The money will be released to you within 12 working days after you have filed in for claims. I will like you to acknowledge the receipt of this e-mail as soon as possible via my email with the following Information:
1. YOUR FULL NAMES..........................
2. YOUR CONTACT ADDRESS: ........................
3. YOUR NATIONALITY: ..............................
4. YOUR OCCUPATION: ..................................
5. YOUR DIRECT PHONE NUMBER: ...........................
6. YOUR SEX:..............
I look forward to your quick reply.
Thanks,
Mr. Adams Rees.
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Anti-fraud resources:
