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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:
- "my names are " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- 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.
- judychance11@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "MISS JUDY CHANCE" <judchance11@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: judychance11@yahoo.com
Date: Sat, 13 Apr 2013 08:25:02 -0000
Subject: GREAT OFFER!!!!!
I'm sorry to disturb you with this proposal. My names are Judy chance; I'm
a Briton who lives in London. I attend university and work part time as a
dress maker.
I lost my father in an auto accident prompting my mother’s death because
of it. My Father, BENSON CHANCE; willed me a large portion of his real
estate holdings and income properties valued at 30,700,000 Pounds
Sterling. I have yet to place a claim on it but right now things are not
good and I'd like to have it.
My Fathers stipulation was that I was either 30 years of age or married
(allowing my Husband to be in control) or a woman of unquestionable repute
who will stand as my guardian till I am of the above age .I am 25years at
the moment so only my husband can make a claim on my behalf or a woman of
an unquestionable character. I’d like to offer you the opportunity to
stand in as my Husband / next of kin to my late father, and will share 40%
of it for your assistance.
I plan on using 10% for any travel or legal expense incurred. I trust you
will keep this matter and this proposal completely confidential, as I
will. I'm waiting for you to get back to me as I'd like to get started as
soon as we can.
Send your response to judychance11@yahoo.com
THANKS YOU.
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