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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 united states 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)
- "i got your email address from " (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Cohen David" <davidcohen143@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: cohendaviid@globomail.com
Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2013 09:46:33 +0800
Subject: Attention Needed
Greetings to you.
I must say sorry for interfering into your privacy without seeking for
permission. It's because of the urgency of this matter. My name is Cohen
David, I work with the NATWEST BANK and Currently A Director of Finance
Auditing and Accounting Unit in Natwest Bank London, United Kingdom.
I have decided to contact you for a mutual beneficial transaction with 100%
risk free. I got your email address from my old school friend from your
country on my search for a reputable and reliable person to help me claim the
sum of US$15.3 MILLION UNITED STATES DOLLARS, deposited in my Bank.
In April 2006, Lu Yunpeng, a multimillionaire and president of Henan-based
Yunpeng Cultural Development Co Ltd China moved some cash to my bank from
Europe. The fund arrived during the time Lu Yunpeng was been tried for murder
in China . As his account officer he instructed that I should put a hold on
the fund that was supposed to go to China pending the outcome of his trial.
In May 2006 he was sentenced to death and the fund remained unclaimed till
date. As his account officer I was aware that nobody knows about this fund
movement except his cousin who was also sentenced to death with him. Kindly
view this news blog below for some info
http://en.ce.cn/National/Local/200605/18/t20060518_7005764.shtml
I want to utilize this opportunity and make use of this fund by transferring
the money to you for investment in your country. I want us to work as
partners. Please reply back and tell me your opinion. You are my first
contact. I shall wait for days and if I do not hear from you, I shall look for
another person. Please make it confidential to yourself alone.
Thanks and best regards.
Mr. Cohen David
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Anti-fraud resources:
