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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "million dollars" (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)
- "there is no risk involved" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- peterranderson@rediffmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Peter Anderson <peteranderson.un@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 22 Nov 2013 06:42:24 +0000
Subject: Discussion
Dear Respected,
How are you, business and your family? I pray that all is well with you.
My name is Peter Anderson, a UN special envoy in the in Togo working
on a special assignment on fund recovery.
Please I want you to relax, take your time to digest the information
that I am about to share with you because it is real. Some looted
Government funds from politicians of African countries were kept in
the special / security vault in Togo.
I am the head of the operation to recover the funds which involves
millions of dollars. These funds were deposited under fictitious names
by the various politicians from various African countries so that it
cannot be traced to them.
It was in the course of my duty that I discovered a deposit amounting
to $18 Million dollars was deposited in your name which I assume to be
fictitious name. But after several thoughts and consideration, I
decided to make good use of this opportunity because I don't know when
I will get this opportunity again because my retirement is coming
soon. These African politicians are so rich and have looted funds for
so many years so I am taking advantage of this opportunity.
I want you and me to strike a deal so that I can have the funds in
question released to you because your name is on the deposit but as
fictitious. I therefore want to perfect the arrangement to have the
deposit released to you as the authorized beneficiary and you and I
will share the funds.
I want you to know that there is no risk involved because all process
and arrangement will be endorsed by me as the head of the operation
and it will be executed and concluded within 5 days if you cooperate
with you. Send your response to: peterranderson@rediffmail.com
I await your immediate response.
Best regards,
Peter Anderson.
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