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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)
- "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Dr.Ken Sherman. <web.ken.xxx.att.net@server.lanred.cl>
Reply-To: Ken.sherman1@yahoo.com
Date: Thu, 28 Mar 2013 12:32:20 -0300
Subject: Authorization Letter.
Good day.
I wish to notify you that the sum of US$5 million United States Dollars
only, has been approved to you.
This action, was the final resolution taken by IMF and United Nations
to clear up all outstanding debt by cutting all debt payments down to
US$5million only to each beneficiary.
We have so far, reconciled and have paid over 62 beneficiaries, who have
had various problems receiving their payments in the past. We have been
able to ascertain the cause of some of these delays, which was pointed
to divert of beneficiary's funds by officials of payment agencies or Banks.
Fraudulent officials and banks that unfeelingly extort money from
beneficiaries.
All these problems have been removed and most beneficiaries whose
records have been submitted to us have been paid directly by International
Certified Bank Draft.
Acknowledge receipt of this letter urgently and state in your response
to us how you want to receive this money.
I await your response.
Best Regards,
Dr.Ken Sherman.
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Anti-fraud resources:
