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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:
- "chambers" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- 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.
- an_marcus@hotmail.com (Hotmail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Re: From the Desk Of Mr.James Anderson" <jamesanderson51@rocketmail.com>
Reply-To: an_marcus@hotmail.com
Date: Wed, 18 Jul 2012 20:02:27 -0700
Subject: Re: Fund Approval Letter
*ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND, LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM
**Address: 9th Floor 280 Bishops gate London EC2M 4RB*
Dear Esteemed Beneficiary Sir/Madam,
How is your family? Hope you people are in good condition of health. We the
entire members of Royal Bank of Scotland wishes to use this medium to
congratulate and inform you about the entitlement fund that was deposited
on your behalf by British Council as the annual budget entitlement fund for
the individuals.
Kindly furnish Mr Anthony Marcus with your Full Name: Address: City: State:
Zip Code: Direct Phone Number: Current Occupation: You are hereby
authorized and guaranteed by the united nation office to commence action
towards completing this transaction, as there shall be NO delay once you
complete and receive your fund approved certificate slip from the office of
Lloyds Chambers Solicitors.
Note: Make sure you forward the requested information to Mr. Anthony Marcus
via his e-mail contact address: an_marcus@hotmail.com
Your Sincerely,
* *
*Chief Ronald K. Noble*
*(Secretary Genera**l) .*
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Anti-fraud resources:
