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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:
- "the consignment" (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)
- "consignment " (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)
- "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.
- 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.
- mrjames10@hotmail.com (Hotmail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: a d <teranniki@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <daramy2020@walla.com>
Date: Fri, 27 May 2011 10:44:30 +0000
Subject: INVESTMENT FUND IN EUROPE
Attn: Sir/Madam
I am Mr. James Hill, I got your contact from a
business directory. After due considerations, I decided to contact you
for discussion.Due to the political and economic down turn in my country
Nigeria which led to the arrest and imprisonment of my boss, I am
forced to seek for a foreign business partner who can assist to claim
the consignment contains U$25.5 million dollars in Europe.
1.
Receive the Investment funds in your name as the beneficiary in Europe.
2.
Place this huge funds into profitable investment ventures in your
country as soon as the consignment hand over to you.
3.
Invest and manage the said funds for a minimum of five (5) years.
Absolute
confidentiality and professionalism is required in the handling of
these transaction and subsequent investments.I look forward to hear from
your response after which more details would be communicated to
you.reply to my private email: mrjames10@hotmail.com
Thanks.
Sincerely
Yours.
Mr.James Hill
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Anti-fraud resources:
