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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 endeavor to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "huge amount of money" (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)
- "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)
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- This email message is a "dying widow" scam.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs Betty Wolf" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <wmrsbetty@yahoo.fr>
Date: Fri, 19 Jul 2013 19:48:30 +0100
Subject: DONATION FROM MRS BETTY WOLF,
Dear Beloved One,
PLEASE ENDEAVOR TO USE IT FOR THE CHILDREN OF GOD. I am the above
named person from Sierra-Leone. I am married to Dr. Kevin Wolf who
died in the year 2007. We were married for eleven years without a
child. He died after a brief illness that lasted for only four days
when he visited his village. Since his death, I decided not to
re-marry.
When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of US$15 Million
United States Dollars ( Fifteen Million United States Dollars) in a
financial Institution. I have been diagnosed with Colon cancer; my
Doctor told me that I would not last due to the cancer problem. From
all indications, the cancer has gotten to a very dangerous stage.
Having known my condition, I decided to donate this fund to a good
person that will utilize this huge amount of money the way i am going
to instruct herein. I want you to use this fund for orphanages, widows
and also build schools for less privileges that will be named after my
late husband if possible. Assure me that you will act accordingly as I
state herein.
Hoping to receive your response immediately.
Thanks and Remain blessed.
Yours of Good Heart.
Mrs Betty Wolf
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Anti-fraud resources:
