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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 united states 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)
- "await your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "dear beneficiary," (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr Simon Davis" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <simeon_davis@consultant.com>
Date: Sat, 24 Dec 2011 04:15:01 -0500
Subject: Dear BENEFICIARY,
Dear BENEFICIARY,
This is to inform you that we received a transfer of $20million United States Dollars in your name, now we forwarded this transfer to the Department Of Treasury until we notify you.
To this effect you are required to re-confirm to us the following details for onward processing and immediate release of your money.
FULL NAMES________
CITY_________
STATE________
ZIP_POST CODE_____
COUNTRY________
SEX_________
AGE______
TELEPHONE/FAX NUMBERS_________
Thank you for your co-operation and we await your urgent response to this matter.
Mr Simon Davis
Office Of Public Affairs
Department Of Homeland Security
United States Of America
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Anti-fraud resources:
