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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:
- "the consignment" (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)
- "consignment " (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)
- This email message is a orphan scam.
Fraud email example:
From: Edith <e_robert888@yahoo.fr>
Reply-To: edith111e@yahoo.co.jp
Date: Sat, 13 Apr 2013 15:40:44 +0100 (BST)
Subject: I NEED YOUR HELP
Dearly Beloved,
My name is Edith Robert
.
I lost my father from a bullet wound during the political crises in my country, my mother died when she was given birth to my younger brother.
Before the death of my father in a private hospital where he was admited because of the bullet wound, he called me secretly on his bed side and he told me that he deposited a diplomatic consignment containing the sum of ( 8.500.000USD ) in a private security company.
He advised me that I should search for a reliable partner in a country of my Choice who can help me to invest the money in a real estate and hotel.
My purpose of contacting you is that I want you to come and stand as a beneficiary of this consignment at the security company as to help me to get the consignment released from the security company and deliver to your country where you will invest the money for me.
Please, if you can honestly assist me, kindly reply my mail with your contacts information as follows.
Your full name
Your Permanent Address
Your direct phone number.
When I receive your reply and all your information as above I will furnish you with all the details.
Sincerely
Edith Robert
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Anti-fraud resources:
