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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:
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- 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.
- harrydavies1562@yahoo.com.ph (Yahoo, Philippines, Philippines; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "J. Williams" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <harrydavies1562@yahoo.com.ph>
Date: Mon, 7 Nov 2011 10:38:38 -0800
Subject: Re: Your A.T.M Card
Hello,
How are you doing together with your family for i hope fine. Actually, I do understand it has been long and i am so sorry for the delay for i have been so busy with my investment projects. I just want to let you know that i have not forgotten your kind gesture towards helping me and that is why i am sending you this now. just accept it from me for it is from the bottom of my heart.
I left behind an ATM debit card worth $500,000USD with the secreatary of my bank in Lagos, Nigeria so he can send to you. so just try and contact him right away and get the card, ok. Below is the name and email by which you can reach him:
Mr. Harry Davies
EMAIL: harrydavies1562@yahoo.com.ph
you have to send him you detail information to enable him send the AMT debit card to your address directly. he will be needing :
Your full names
Delivery address
State/city/zip code
contact number
Hope you understand that and please like i said am sorry for the delay and do accept this as a token from me.
Once again thanks for all you tried helping me out.
My best wishes.
Jennifer Williams
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Anti-fraud resources:
