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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:
- "million 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)
- "offshore account" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr Glover Johnson" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrglover.johnson@y7mail.com>
Date: Fri, 19 Oct 2012 12:31:27 -0700
Subject: Greetings From Mr Glover Johnson.
My Name is Mr Glover Johnson I am regional manager for a reputable bank here in Australia . I am writing you this proposal in good faith . and a man of peace
I have packaged a financial transaction that will benefit you and myself .
As the regional manager it is my duty to send a financial report to my head office in Sydney Australia at the end of each business year , on the course of last year 2011 business report , I noticed that my branch office made excess profit of ($23.7 Million Dollars )
I have placed these funds in an internal suspense account of my bank I am overseeing . As an officer of this Bank I cannot be directly connected to this money .
So my aim in contacting you in this way is to assist me receive this money safely in an offshore account which in your assistance receive 30% of the total funds as your commission . I have perfected the internal banking procedure in order to enable our head office transfer the funds into your account in less than 7 business days .
I am instinctively convinced that you might just be the ideal person I need to fully cooperate the requirements to handle this transaction and the funds (AU $23.7 Million Dollars )
That are under my close supervision .
It may just become obvious to you due to this I have no choice than to resign my position as a banker and relocate into your country with my family in the near future . My major concern is that this money arrives in your account . I would be very glad should you therefore confirm you willingness to except my offer of 30% for your help by receiving $23.7 Million Dollars prior to my final departure to join with you for a investment in your country that might interest me .
Please give me a call on this number +614 14 633 107
It will be a great pleasure to have you call me as soon as you receive this email .
I look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible .
Best Regards
Mr Glover Johnson
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