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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.
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Branko Belacevic <tinakonate101@yahoo.com.vn>
Reply-To: tinakonate11@rocketmail.com
Date: Sat, 7 Jan 2012 21:51:15 +0100
Subject: Greetings to you.
Greetings to you.
I am Miss. Tina Konate, 19 years old girl. My father was cocoa dealer; he was revolting against the leadership of the Rebel President, President Laurent Gbagbo that is why he sent his Rebel gang to set our house on fire by killing all the members of my family. I was so lucky to be at school the time and the day this incident happen that was why I am alive today.
Some days later, I found out through our family lawyer that my late father deposited the sum of $2.5million in a bank here; I want you to help me to retrieve the fund and invest it in your country. And also help me come over to your country to continue my education under your guardian while you take care for the investment of the funds.
If you wish to be of this assistance to me, please do tell me more about yourself to enable me know you better. Your advice is also needed. I have made up my mind to
reward you back with enough percentage immediately the money is been transferred to your personal bank account.
I am looking forward to hear from you soon.
My best regards and good wishes to you
Miss. Tina Konate
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Anti-fraud resources:
