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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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:
- "i will like you to " (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 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.
- linda.harry27@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Linda Harry" <lindaanabla600@care2.com>
Reply-To: <linda.harry27@yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 2 Mar 2012 06:17:14 -0800
Subject: URGENT FROM LINDA
Hi Dear how are you today i hope that you are doing fine as i am feeling
alright also my name is Linda Harry from west l am searching for a real
friend that is trust and worthy and caring. a friend who understand the
real meaning of love and trust in each other a mature partner that will
be faithful to me and will understand that a real love dose not count
distance or colour after reading your profile and email at internet i
feel a great joy in my heart withing me. i took interest on you despite
that i have not seen you in person but your profiles really gave me a
nice pleasure to communicate with you. and I hope you will be the true
loving, honest partner that I have been looking for, And I have
something special to tell you about me please i will like you to reply
to me urgently so i will tell you more about my self this is my box
above please try to mail me back on my email address
(linda.harry27@yahoo.com ) so that i can be able to send you my
pictures, God bless you. Miss Linda
<P><p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2" style="font-size:13.5px">_______________________________________________________________<BR>Care2 makes it easy for everyone to live a healthy, green lifestyle
and impact the causes you care about most. Over 12 Million members!
http://www.care2.com
Feed a child by searching the web! Learn how http://www.care2.com/toolbar</font>
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Anti-fraud resources:
