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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.
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
Fraud email example:
From: Jim EDWARD <jimedward000@gmail.com>
Reply-To: drjimedward@one.co.il
Date: Wed, 21 Aug 2013 17:38:33 +0100
Subject: URGENT.
Dear Good Friend.
Having gotten your contact through this medium, I am interested in
investing the sum of $9.6Million in a viable and profitable venture
that you will recommend to me in your area for a long and lasting
joint business relationship between us.
The funds are available in a finance company in Europe, and it will be
released through you into the project after you have shown interests
and commitment in response to this proposal as the foreign business
associate to my Deceased Client.
I am now contacting you based on my desire to invest this money in
your country and will require your direction in this regard. I will
need every good guidance possible from established Businesses like
yours,counting on your honesty and integrity for our mutual benefit.
Regards
Dr.Jim Edward
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Anti-fraud resources:
