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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)
- "million us 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)
- "urgent assistance" (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: hassan ali <hassanalihg1416@msn.com>
Reply-To: <mrhassanali100@yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 5 May 2012 17:39:31 +0000
Subject: I am expecting your urgent response.
Dear Friend,
How are you my friend?
My Name is Mr.hassan Ali, Please I need your urgent assistance in transferring the sum of $12.5 Million US Dollars into your bank account within 10 or 14 banking days.
The transfer is risk free on both sides hence you are going to follow my Instruction’s till the fund transfer to your account.
Upon receipt of your reply, I will give you the full details on how the business will be executed and also note that you will have 40% of the above mentioned amount and 10% will be for any expenses that may come out during the process of transferring the total amount into your bank account, and the remaining 50% will be for me.
I am expecting your urgent response.
Keep it secret.
Kindest regards,
Mr.Hassan Ali
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Anti-fraud resources:
