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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "will come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mohammad Karim" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mohammedkarim@mynet.com>
Date: Tue, 14 Feb 2012 21:37:45 +0100
Subject: Dear Friend
Dear Friend,
I know this message will come to you as a surprise but is the real truth because I have suffered a lot to keep this asset belonging to the Libya Government's as secret but due to the pressure put on me by the United Nations investigators, I have decided to contact you in respect of this fund so that you can come for this fund as the beneficiary which is presently in a foreign account in United Kingdom.But I have tried my best for the fund to be remitted to a foreign account in any country so I need your acceptance to get this fund transferred to your account.
I will also update you that I was a Personal Assistant to the Finance Minister to the Libya President (Maummar Gaddafi) which this fund was deposited in my name in one of the banks in London and your next email will proof to me that you are ready to get this done together.The fund we are talking about is $18million which I have decided to share this fund with you.
I believe that you will act to my expectation so that both of us will share this fund together before the Libyan givernment will find out about this fund because I will present your name as the beneficiary of the fund. So update me immediately you receive this message.
The below listed details will be required if you are interested.
1.Full Name
2.Home Address
3.Direct Mobile number
4.Your Occupation
5.Age
Your urgent reply will be highly appreciated.
Thanks
Mr. Mohammad Karim
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Anti-fraud resources:
