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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:
- "hundred thousand us 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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "NATIONS" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <diplomatsken@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 29 Apr 2013 07:25:59 -0400
Subject: BARCLAYS BANK LONDON
Dear Beneficiary.
My name is Mr. Jonas Ken from Barclays bank London, I am here to deliver your Gold box which the value is $10.5musd from United Nations as your Scam victim Compensation and you are hereby advise to get back to me ASAP at your international airport or you can direct me on how to locate your house to deliver your two Gold box today in your place which the value is ten million and five hundred thousand us dollars and remember that I have to get the yellow TAG PAPER at your airport to enable the security allow me pass through the airport before coming to your house.
I wait to hear from you soon and get back to me with your direct mobile telephone and reconfirm your full address to avoid mistake or wrong delivery.
Thanks
Engr Jonas Ken
Diplomats.
NOTE; FOR SECURITY REASON ALL THE DOLLARS INSIDE THE TWO BOXES WAS DARK IN COLOR AND AM WITH THE CHEMICAL WHICH I WILL USE TO CLEAN THE DOLLARS WHEN I GET TO YOUR HOUSE TODAY JUST BECAUSE OF THE SECURITY AT THE AIRPORT.
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Anti-fraud resources:
