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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "hundred thousand united states 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)
- "very confidential" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs.Sandra Ramos" <203.200.117.73@dags.biz>
Reply-To: <sandyukab@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 21 Jan 2014 11:54:38 -0500
Subject: (53.8) Expect your Reply
Dear Friend,
My Name is Mrs Sandra Ramos i am an American citizen i live in
Kabul,Afghanistan
please i have about Nine Million,Seven Hundred Thousand United States
Dollars in a Private security Finance Firm in Europe.I Need your
assistance to receive these funds in your account and also Invest the
funds for me in a good bussiness i am taking these investment plans
due to political/religious crisis and my Health problem here in
Afghanistan and all my business have closed down and you will assist me in my family Relocation.I
will Give youTwenty Five Percent of the total money Once you receive the money.If
you are interested send me your contact details and your direct phone
number,please keep these very confidentially for security Reasons.There is no Risk that is involve because my lawyer will get
all legal document to back up these claims in your favour as the true beneficiary.I will be Grateful if you aggree to
work with me as partner
Mrs Sandra Ramos
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Anti-fraud resources:
