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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:
- "search for a reliable person" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +447039400357 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
- 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.
- cmorgan_001@yahoo.com (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Collin Morgan <cmor026@msn.com>
Reply-To: <project2011@w.cn>
Date: Fri, 20 Jan 2012 20:09:24 +0000
Subject: Mail From Dr. Collin Morgan/Call Me
Compliments Of the Season,
Permit me to introduce myself to you. My name is Dr. Collin Morgan, a top Management Official of a Finance Corporation in London, United Kingdom I came to know about you in my private search for a reliable person/company to handle an important assignment on behalf of my Colleagues and myself.
PROPOSITION: An Australian Engr Donald Pepper, a prosperous oil merchant and Realtor had in our Bank the sum of £35 Million in a domiciliary account. I need your co-operation to transfer the above mentioned sum out of my Bank to any part of the world and I am confident that you will give your consideration to this proposal and response positively. I am available to discuss this proposal with you and to answer any questions you may have in regard to this fund. As soon as you give your positive response to this proposal, I will send the details and procedures of the transaction to you. Get back to me on +44 703 940 0357 or email:cmorgan_001@yahoo.com
Best Regards,
Dr. Collin Morgan
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Anti-fraud resources:
