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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 british pounds" (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: Tom Morgan <thmorgan123@gmail.com>
Reply-To: tmorgan066@gmail.com
Date: Sun, 18 Aug 2013 21:48:47 -1200
Subject: Attn:Dear Friend
Good day
I am contacting you in this way as a result of necessity and urgency
of this transaction. I am a manager of a bank in London and a
financial consultant to private investors in my bank.
This transaction relates to a large deposit of 7.3 million British
Pounds Sterling from customers, who died without any next of kin or
relatives. I assure you this transaction is 100% and will be done
legally in accordance with the laws of your country. I shall share 50%
of the total funds with you.
I will give you a comprehensive detail explanation as soon as I can
hear from you indicating your interest to partner with me and champion
this course. I look forward to your earnest reply.
Kind Regards,
Tom Morgan
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Anti-fraud resources:
