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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:
- "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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "FRANK MOSS" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <frankmoss65@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 11 Mar 2014 07:48:28 -0000
Subject: RE-FIND TIME TO GO THROUGH MY PROPOSAL
Good friend
I am contacting you based on trust and I believe you will treat this offer with keen interest and utmost sincerity. My name is Moss Frank , a Ghanian National but has leave in Syria for over 28 years,although I was born in canada where I had my education as well.Following the crises going on in with Syria forces and the Syria militant group my business has suffered a tremendous set back.
I run a currency trading company and money exchange bureau in Damascus . I and my family were victims of Chemical Weapon in Syria now I have lost my entire family.
The reason why I am contacting you is to find out if I can invest my money in your line of business.It has become very necessary for me to diversify my interest in the area of investment. I have the sum of 24 million dollars in one of the banks in Accra-Ghana, I am searching for a responsible and credible partner who can receive this fund on my behalf and invest it in real estate or another line of business.
I am presently undergoing treatment in China ,I was taken to China by a Muslim doctor,and has advised that i may have to be in hospital for a long time because of damages caused by the Chemical Weapon even suggesting to seek for another foreign assistance. I don't know what will happen to me in the next day as my life is as stake all my family has gone. Please let me know urgently if you can be trusted .From the proceeds of our business you will be entitled to 40%. while 60% will be for me. i will need a copy of your international passport and mine will be sent to you as well.
I await your response.
Best regards.
Moss Frank.
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Anti-fraud resources:
