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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 beloved," (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: Hajia Mariam <m_hajia@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: hajia.mariam105@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 31 Aug 2011 07:18:22 +0900
Subject: urgent reply with your telephone number
Dear beloved,
Due to the sudden death of my husband General Abacha the former head
of state of Nigeria in June 1998, I have been thrown into a state of
hopelessness by the present administration. I have lost confidence
with anybody within my country. I got your contacts through personal
research, and had to reach you through this medium. I will give you
more details when you reply.
Due to security network placed on my daily affairs I can't visit the
embassy so that is why I have contacted you. My husband deposited
$12.6million dollars with a security firm abroad whose name is
withheld for now till we communicate. I will be happy if you can
receive these funds and keep it safe I assure you something good out
of the funds in return for your assistance. I will need your
telephone/mobile numbers so that we can commence communication.
Sincerely Yours,
Hajia Mariam.
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Anti-fraud resources:
