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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "await your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Ryan" <ryensellsre@aol.com>
Date: Sat, 24 Aug 2013 11:01:03 -0500
Subject: Urgent Tranfer of funds.
Goodday,
I am Lawyer to late Mr. Donald Richardson (CEO)Based in the UK
I am contacting you based on our late clients will.
In his will he left part of his money to a capable person/organization, to
enable him/her set
up an organization for helping the less privileged, widows, homeless
etc.
I await your urgent response so that details and copy of the will may
be made available to you.
Thank you for your understanding and God bless.
Yours truly,
Mr Ryan Sellers
Solicitor
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Anti-fraud resources:
