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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 friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million 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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Hassan Muhammed Cakuego <dooo---bbbms0221@att.net>
Reply-To: info1m@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Mon, 21 Mar 2011 07:09:40 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Dear Friend
13 El Semar St..
Gameat El Dewal El Ar-
El Mohandeseen
City Cairo Egypt.
Dear Friend,
REQUEST FOR BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP
I am Mr Hassan Muhammed Cakuego. from Egypt, The Former Managing Director of National Bank of Egypt . I got your contact from THE EMAIL DIRECTORY as I was searching for a reliable person that will handle and secure this project for me with sincerity. It is with trust that I wish to contact you on this matter concerning your willingness to assist me for an investment with this fund amount $45.8 million Dollars in your country or any other country you may think that will be preferable for the investment. Your services will be paid after we have concluded the transaction.
More so, You will have to assure me that you will keep this project
secretly confidential, because I don't want any one of my country or your of own country also to be aware of my
involvement with the investment. If you are capable to handle this project, Please for security purpose contact me only through the email for more details.
Yours faithfully
Mr. Hassan Muhammed Cakuego.
N.B: Please bear in mind that the company shall be establish in your
country or any other country base on your professional advise.
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Anti-fraud resources:
