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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:
- "% commission" (Beware of any scheme that involves depositing checks or money orders or receiving wire transfers in your bank account and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere, for a percentage of 5-15% of the total. Such offers are *always* fraudulent and you will be liable for the entire amount when the checks, money orders or wire transfers turn out to be fraudulent. Any money already forwarded comes out of *your* pocket then. )
- "top secret" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Henry Richardson" <hrichardson@blumail.org>
Reply-To: <henryrichardson@windowslive.com>
Date: Sat, 14 May 2011 22:56:35 +0200
Subject: Investment Proposal..
From: Mr. Henry Richardson
With a warm heart I offer my friendship, and my greetings, and I hope this email meets you in good time. It will be surprising to you to receive this proposal from me since you do not know me personally. I am Henry Thabo Richardson, a South African based in Ivory Coast.I executed governmental contracts with the just ousted(overthrown) President of Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo. I executed big contracts like road construction and some major government ministries.
There is a sum of €12million (Twelve million euros) deposited with a special financial expert who is currently in Europe. For some special reasons due to tension in Ivory Coast now, i am not capable of handling the transfer of the money. I am searching for a trustworthy and sincere international partner who will help receive the money in Europe. This partner will be compensated with 15% commission for assistance and cooperation. All documents concerning this transfer will run in your name and the money will be handed over directly to you by the agent.
Please you are advised to handle this transaction as a top secret(strictly confidential and private). In case you are interested in this lucrative transaction please get back to me urgently with this following information:
1. Full Name:
2. Residential Address:
3. Age:
4. Occupation:
5. Direct Telephone Numbers:
For security reasons, the involvement of any third party is strictly prohibited. After this transaction, we still have further beneficial and lucrative issues to accomplish. I hope you will not let me down. I am counting so much on you. PLEASE REPLY TO MY ALTERNATIVE EMAIL ADDRESS: henryrichardson@windowslive.com
Yours Sincerely.
Henry T. Richardson.
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