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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:
- "million us 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 orphan scam.
Fraud email example:
From: "BELLA WILLIAM" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <bellawilliam19@yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 19 Dec 2011 12:54:54 -0800
Subject: sesson's greatings
I need your help
In confidence, I have to introduce myself for you I am Bella William Orphan of 18 years from Togo, who his father was a
successful cocoa merchant before he was assassinated by two unidentified men and after the death of my father my mother died two months later as the result of shock.
I purposely contact you in other to request for your assistance in transferring 10 million US dollars to your country which my father deposited with a security firm. I am willing to give you 20% of this funds for your sincerely assistance to me.
Urgently reply to me as you finish reading this message with your full data to enable me submit it to the security firm and introduce to their office. Blessed shall be to that ear that hears the cries of an orphan and fatherless Child.
Best regards,
Miss Bella William
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Anti-fraud resources:
