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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:
- "trunk box" (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)
- "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)
- "god fearing " (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- This email message is a "dying widow" scam.
Fraud email example:
From: Rose Martins <rose_102martins@yahoo.co.jp>
Reply-To: rose_222martins@yahoo.co.jp
Date: Thu, 29 Nov 2012 18:55:47 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: Dear Beloved In The Lord
From: Mrs Rose Martins
Dear Beloved In The Lord,
Praise be to the name of God most high.I am theabove named person from Philippine but now undergoing medical treatment here in UK. I am married to (Mr.EDWARD MARTINS) who work with Ambassador of Philippine for nineteen years in Cote D’Ivoire. We were married for 16 years without a child. He died after a Cardiac Arteries Operation.And Recently, My Doctor told me that I would not last for the next six months due to my cancer problem (cancer of the lever and stroke). Before the death of my late husband last year there is this sum $10.5 Million Dollars that he kept in a safe Metallic Trunk Box and deposited it in a Finance House there In COTE D'IVOIRE. Presently this money is still in the Security Vault there. Now that I know the condition of my health I decided to donate this fund to any good God fearing brother or sister that will utilize this fund the way I am going to instruct herein. I want somebody that will use this fund according to the desire of
my late. Husband to help less privileged people, orphanages and widows. I took this decision because I dont have any child that will inherit this fund, And I dont want it in away this money will be used in an ungodly way. This is why I am taking this decision to hand you over this Fund. I am not afraid of death hence I know where I am going. I want you to always remember me in your daily prayers because of my up coming Cancer Surgery. Write back as soon as possible, hoping to read from you ASAP.
God bless you,
Mrs. Rose Martins.
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Anti-fraud resources:
