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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million united state 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)
- "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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs.Suzanne Mubarak." <marybrenda2@gmail.com>
Reply-To: sussymub111@yahoo.com.ph
Date: Wed, 17 Apr 2013 03:42:31 -0700
Subject: Urgent Fund Relocation for investment purposes:
--
Dear Friend,
Urgent Fund Relocation for investment purposes:
I know that you will be surprise reading from me since we have not met
before but situation around me warrant that I contact a total stranger
(you) for a business transaction of mutual benefits.
My name is Mrs. Suzanne Mubarak wife of deposed president of Egypt. I have
the mandate of my husband to communicate you for a possible funds transfer.
Following the 18 days civil unrest that forced my husband President Hosni
Mubarak out of power I wish to use this medium to seek your assistance to
move /secure part of our family treasure of a total sum of One Hundred and
Fifty million united state dollars which we managed to moved out of Egypt
to abroad in the verge of the Unrest.
Should you be able to take this advantage to assist us to claim these funds
, you shall be rewarded handsomely.
Indicate your willingness to this offer by communicating me via this email
enclosing your full information name, age , occupation, address telephone
numbers as all our telephone lines are monitored which email communication
will be the best for now.
Thanks for your anticipated response to this offer.
Mrs.Suzanne Mubarak.
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Anti-fraud resources:
