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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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "SIR B. MCWELL" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mcbost53@blumail.org>
Date: Sun, 16 Jun 2013 11:04:11 +0530
Subject: RECIEVER REQUIRED FOR URGENT TRANSFER!
Dear Sir/Ma,
An urgent tansfer of 78 Million United States Dollars is required to be be made out of Switzerland before its government confiscate
it. Actually this means is not the ideal way of passing this information but we need the Funds to move far AWAY into safe Hands and percentage
will be discussed. Below are characteristics required and all you have to do:
1. You must be Known for your personality in your neighbourhood ( Maybe company owner or Any Big personel)
2. After confirming the above, some documents will be required of you to exclude anyother from this transaction and will require your
direct contact with the bank,
3. You must be ready to tender all documents required from the bank as per what it takes to transfer the Funds to your country.
For futher discussion on this deal please send a reply to this mail with brief details of your personality or your reply will
not be given attention has this is not a kid thing Nor Any form of joke and scams which is order of the day.
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Anti-fraud resources:
