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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:
- "huge amount 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)
- "williamcheung_74@msn.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- "williamcheung_74@msn.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "William L.W CHEUNG" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <william_cheung74@msn.com>
Date: Mon, 4 Jul 2011 16:04:09 +0100
Subject: Re:Partner needed
FUNDS TRANSFER PROPOSAL:
I am Mr. William Leung Wing Cheung the Executive Director and
Chief financial Officer of Hang Seng Bank Ltd., It is understandable
that you might be a little bit apprehensive because you do not know me
but I have a lucrative business proposal of mutual interest to share with you.
I got your reference from the internet in my search for someone who suits
my proposed business relationship. I will need you to assist me in executing
a business project from Hong Kong to your country. It involves the transfer
of huge amount of money, everything concerning this transaction shall be legally
done without hitch. Once the funds have been successfully transferred into your
account, we shall share in the ratio to be agreed by both of us. Contact me on my
confidential Email address (williamcheung_74@msn.com). I shall furnish you with more
information’s about this operation immediately I receive a positive response from you.
Kind Regards,
Mr. William L. W Cheung
E-mail: williamcheung_74@msn.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
