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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:
- "dormant account" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: chukim5656@yahoo.com.co
Reply-To: yyongwonsk@gmail.com
Date: Sun, 25 Aug 2013 05:28:07 +0900
Subject: Partnership request.
I want you to be patient in reading this email. Please understand that this proposal is not related or connected to any scheme to make you lose your money.
I work with an Asian bank. I occupy a sensitive position. There is a dormant account I can be able to transfer out of my bank if I can find a foreign partner. The only means through which I can transfer these funds is for international transfer only. I am limited by my bank code of ethics. This is why I require foreign assistance and why I am making contact with you.
I want you to be rest assured that this will be done legally and we will both benefit immensely.
Regards,
Mr. Sung Chun Kim
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Anti-fraud resources:
