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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)
- "million pounds" (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)
- "here in united kingdom" (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: mercy <michaelfeser25@gmail.com>
Reply-To: michaelfeser11@yahoo.com
Date: Fri, 28 Feb 2014 04:48:08 -0600
Subject: GOOD LOAN DEAL
Dear Friend,
? Good Day.I am the a Bank Account Officer here in United Kingdom. I am in charge of a fixed deposit account that contains Four Million Pounds and that will mature in next five years (August 12th 2017). I am currently looking for a shrewd investor that can invest the fund for a period of four years and return back the Principal amount to the Bank here within this four years.My major interest is the turnover that the fund can yield within of this period of three years.The turnover will be shared between us at the ratio of 60% for me and 40% for you.
? I am currently in charge of the account and i will use my influence to have the fund transferred If you are capable and truthworthy Please Note that the principal amount MUST be returned within four years after the transfer of the fund.The only gain we stand to make is the interest or profit that you can make out the Principal Amount.Consider my proposal and if are really capable then let me now. However if you cannot be able to execute this properly then ignore this proposal.
? Please reply me with your proposal and personal email
? Thanks
? Mr.M feser
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Anti-fraud resources:
