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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:
- "transfer into your account" (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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Lawyer Mann Albar <barrharry12@sapo.pt>
Reply-To: harryalbar06@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 07 Nov 2013 02:28:22 +0000
Subject: Greeting To You Sir / Madam..
Dear Sir/Ma,
It's pathetic in notifying you of this incident which is quite
unfortunate. I am Mr.Mann Albar, a deceased client of mine that has
the same last name as yours, who died as the result of a heart-related
condition in December 2008.
However, a sum value amount of Twenty Four Million Eight Hundred and
Twenty Five Thousand United State Dollars, which he has in is account
and it has to be transfer into your account since you possess the same
last name with him. All further details will be explained to you as
soon as you indicate your interest.
Please get back to me for further information which you needed to know
for easy transfer of the funds into your account as the Bank has
notify me.
I will appreciate your kindness response to this effect.
Thanks
Mr.Mann Albar
(Attorney at Law)
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Anti-fraud resources:
