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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)
- ",500,000" (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)
- "mrmalikmohammed@ymail.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: "Mr Malik Mohammed" <malikmohammed1@rediffmail.com>
Reply-To: mrmalikmohammed@rediffmail.com
Date: Wed, 12 Oct 2011 09:03:53 +0300 (EEST)
Subject: IMPORTANT MESSAGE
Dear Friend,
I am Mr. Malik Mohammed Independent Non-executive Director of Misrata
People’s Jamariya Bank, Libya. I have a transaction of $17,500,000m to
bring to your notice attention if only you would be interested and willing
to assist me move the fund to your destination, Visit the website/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12915894
Note / Every Financial institutions have been paralyzed in the country at
the moment Because of our bad president Muammar Gaddafi which result to
civil war in our country here in Libya but I have a way of moving the fund
out of Libya if you indicate your full interest. Contact me for more
details.
If you are willing to partake in the process please send me the
information’s below will be entitled of 30% from the total amount after
you receive the money into your bank account Please Reply Me Through My
private email ;( mrmalikmohammed@ymail.com)
1. NAME IN FULL:..............
2. ADDRESS:......................
3. NATIONALITY:.................
4. AGE:.......................
5. SEX:.................
6. OCCUPATION:..............
7. MARITAL STATUS:………......
8. PHONE...................
9. FAX:...................
10. YOUR PASS PORT OR ID CARD:..............
Your urgent response is highly needed if you are interested to execute the
transaction with me.
Yours Sincerely
Mr Malik Mohammed
Misrata Libya.
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