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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 state 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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "MARIAM SALEH" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mariamsaleh@gmx.com>
Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 01:44:31 +0100
Subject: MARIAM SALEH PLEASE !
I am Mariam Saleh from Tripoli Libya, a member of the defound government, I was incharge of women affairs but now I?m placed under house arrest depend on the outcome of the present government decision
I am interested in investing my money with you in your country, I have in my Vault account the sum of $9 million united state dollars .
Because of the situation in my country now and I must invest for my only Son,
I need a secure investment abroad which I know you can hold for me perfectly with your position in the societies.
You will be compensated with percentage of the money base on the agreement made between us.
Please respond as soon as possible so that we can discuss more . I am waiting for your reply
Best Regards,
Mariam Saleh
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Anti-fraud resources:
