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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 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Charlotte Ethan" <charlotte.ethan@sendmail.com.au>
Reply-To: charlotte.ethan@outlook.com.au
Date: Sun, 15 Sep 2013 14:45:46 +0800
Subject: A MUST READ (URGENT)
With gladness of heart did I send you this message and I hope you will be glad you received it. I'm Charlotte Ethan a widow and an Australian citizen but lived most of my life in the United Kingdom. My husband died in a ghastly motor accident in 2002 and I have been managing our successful business since then but I am presently living in my last days.
Diagnosed Leukemia in 2008 Lung and bronchial cancer also detect in 2010. Since the doctor has tried their best to help and I presently leaving on Life Support Machine in the Hospital here in my home country. I have therefore instructed my lawyer to sell my entire asset in UK and made the money to whoever I refer and the sum total realized is 2.4 Million USD.
He will be making the transfer to you if you are willing to invest it and also help the needy around you. Arrangement has been made with my bank and transfer of the money will be within 3days if you are willing to do this for me.
Send me your Name, Address, Telephone and personal email to me through (charlotte.ethan@outlook.com.au) so I can acquaint your with my attorney immediately. May God Almighty bless you as you do this.
Charlotte Ethan
Surry Hills, NSW,
2010, Australia.
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Anti-fraud resources:
