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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:
- "gracioushanka@ymail.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: <hankagrecious@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: gracioushanka@ymail.com
Date: Sat, 12 May 2012 07:54:11 +0900
Subject: Hello
Hello Friend,
I am Mrs. Grecious Hanka from Libya; 48yrs with 4-Kids; my husband is a foreigner from Argentina who ran back to his country; immediately the civil war started here; and because of several damages made during the war; which affected the net-working cables and transformers for communications; we lost contact. We both served the Libyan Oil & Gas Company for years; before the war started.
Because of the severe infrastructural damages made during the war; and present severe fear of in-stable good security; I can no longer coupe to reside here with my kids; as I wish to travel down to your country; hence my reason of writing you this day. We both made a Savings of about $4.5M-USD; during our tenure of office with the Libyan Oil & Gas Company. And it was lodged with a bank in a neighboring country; when the civil war started; before he ran away for safety back to his country of origin Argentina.
As I wish to travel down to your country with my kids; I would also like you to assist me receive the amount in your account before my arrival. Further information concerning that shall be furnished to you; as soon as you indicate your willingness and interest to help me and my kids in receiving us in your country. Please communicate me at private email IDs below:-
gracioushanka@ymail.com
Expecting your immediate response.
Thanks and God Bless.
Mrs. Gracious Hanka
Libya.
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Anti-fraud resources:
