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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 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: "Fernando G.Ferrari" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <g.ferrarifernando@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Sun, 12 May 2013 10:41:33 -0400
Subject: URGENT PROPOSAL
Dear Friend.
I understand that through Internet is not the best way to link up with you because of the confidentiality which my proposal demands. Due to Crisis we have in Middle East.
I work as a financial adviser to President Bashar al-Assad. Coincidentally, an investor who is associated to the deposed Syria (President Bashar al-Assad approached us seeking our expertise in investing over US$69 million dollars cash discretely in diverse project.
I have one concern / dilemma, which is "the origin of this investor funds is of concern to me".
About this investor: He is a 42 years old man. His name is Samirh, his father was the Private financial secretary to Bashar al-Assad (The Ousted President Bashar al-Assad of Syria). This website www.presidentassad.net link will help you understand more about this investor and his recent past.
If you would be happy to receive funding from this type of investor, please indicate by return email and we can discuss on the modalities of getting funded through this investor. Once I receive a message from you notifying me of your interest, the details of the transaction/the terms and condition of sharing regarding the business would then be brought to your knowledge.
Please not this email address is activated for this transaction.
Thank you.
Fernando G. Ferrari
Email:g.ferrari_fernando@yahoo.co
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Anti-fraud resources:
