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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: "karis Montee" <karismontee@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: <karismontee@voila.fr>
Date: Thu, 11 Jul 2013 10:50:01 -0000
Subject: From Karis Montee
Dear Friend ,
I am Karis Montee . I am presently in Cote D Ivoire . I wish to confind in you for money transfer to your country wihch can be use for a good investment project in your country . The money in question is 20.4million dollars and it was deposited by my late father during the political crisis that took place in my country . I have decided to offer you 10percent of the total sum after the transfer has been done . You will also handle the investment project on my behalf while i return back to school in your country .
I look forward to hearing from you soon .
Karis Montee
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Anti-fraud resources:
