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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.
- 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 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)
- 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.
- frank.edwards2019@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Frank Edwards <arno20333@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <frank.edwards2019@yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 23 Mar 2014 22:06:08 +0000
Subject: Re: Funds Transfer
Re: Bank Payment Notification/Wire Transfer Approvals
We wish to
inform you that you have been recommended by Enterprise Bank Nigeria, to
pay you the sum of ($10.5Million United States Dollars) which is based
on the understanding and current proposed legislative payment agreement
with the British government and the Bank of England. email:
frank.edwards2019@yahoo.com
Our Bank as a member of the financial
services compensation scheme established under the financial services
and market act 2007 as at 31 Dec, The Bank is subjected to pay all
outstanding debts within the European Economic Areas and Deposits
denominated in all currencies and treated alike. To ensure we carry out
our normal payment procedures accurately and to help in continually
improve our services and interest of security; we therefore demand that
you send your proper identity to confirm your person as the beneficiary.
We shall also require you to confirm your acceptance to receive this
funds. You are also advised to send us your personal details in the
manner stated below for the release of your funds into your designed
bank account.
1. Your Full name...................
2. Your telephone......................
3. Your country..........................
4. Copy of your driver"s license................
5. Your bank name...........................................
6. Your account number...................................
7. Bank routing...................................................
8. Swift code........................................................
9. Account holder"s name...................................
Yours sincerely,
Mr. Frank Edwards
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