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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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:
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- 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.
- stephanievillareal016@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Stephanie Villa Real" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <stephanievillareal016@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 15 Jan 2013 05:29:39 -0500
Subject: PLEASE ITS VERY IMPORTANT? MAY THE PEACE OF THE ALMIGHTY BE UPON YOU.
Hello My Dear!
I am writing this mail from the Hospital where I am admitted for medical treatment with heavy tears In my eyes and great sorrow in my heart because my Doctor told me that my body is no longer responding to treatment as they don't know what else to do for my recovery. I have been told by the chief Medical Specialist that I cannot survive the illness, due to I was diagnosed for cancer of the Lungs for about few years ago, and from all indication my conditions is really deteriorating and it is quite obvious that, according to my doctors they have advised me that I may not live too long, this is because the cancer has gotten to a very bad stage. So base on this condition, I have decided to seek for a good person who will have the heart of humanity that can honestly make claim of my saved fund valued Three Million Five Hundred United State Dollars ($3.5Million USD) which was deposited with in the financial Institute. I want this fund to be use in s
upporting the Charity Organizatio
I will provide you with other Information’s once you indicate your willingness.
Pls Reply me at (stephanievillareal016@gmail.com) so I can send you more information.
Yours sincerely. Mrs. Stephanie.
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Anti-fraud resources:
