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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:
- "please indicate your willingness" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Ken Lloyd" <mts1111111111111111111111111111@yahoo.co.jp>
Reply-To: ftd2012@yahoo.co.jp
Date: Sat, 8 Jun 2013 15:28:53 -0500
Subject: MORGAN TRUST & SECURITIES - USA
MORGAN TRUST & SECURITIES
HOUSTON - TEXAS, USA
TEL/FAX: 206-984-0717
ATTN:BENEFICIARY
SIR,
THIS IS TO INFORM YOU THAT WE HAVE BEEN CONTACTED BY THE UNITED NATIONS
OFFICE TO PAY YOUR CONTRACT & INHERITED FUND BY CASH PAYMENT. THIS SEEMS
TO BE UNCONVENTIONAL MODE OF PAYMENT BUT IT WAS RECOMMENDED BY WORLD BANK
AUDITORS / IMF OBSERVERS INVITED BY THE GOVERNMENT U.S ON
THE PAYMENT DELAY BY THE BANKS OFFICIALS. IT WAS OBSERVED THAT FAKE DRAFTS
AND
UNREALISTIC WIRE TRANSFERS HAS MADE FOREIGN CONTRACTORS TO ALMOST ABANDONED
THEIR HARD EARNED MONEY DUE TO FRUSTRATION. THIS MODE OF PAYMENT WAS SEEN
AS THE ONLY OPTION.
THE CASH IS REAL AND REQUIRE NO OTHER TREATMENT. YOU WILL BE ASSISTED TO
DEPOSIT THE CASH TO YOUR BANK. PLEASE INDICATE YOUR WILLINGNESS TO PICK UP
YOUR MONEY. YOUR CASH WILL BE DELIVERED DIRECTLY TO YOUR DESIGNATED
ADDRESS AFTER PROOF OF RIGHTFUL CLAIM. ONLY USD5MILLION WILL BE PAID AT
THIS TIME.
AWAITING FOR YOUR RESPONSE.
REGARDS
KEN LLOYD
OPERATIONS MANAGER
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Anti-fraud resources:
