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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:
- "hundred thousand us 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)
- "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Henry Desmond <henrydonmarny@yahoo.co.jp>
Reply-To: Henry Desmond <mycink000@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Fri, 28 Mar 2014 20:21:29 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Waiting to hear from you.
Dear Sir/ Madam.
It is my pleasure to contact you , and to confined on you as regards this transaction.
I
am Henry Cho From Abidjan-Cote D' Ivoire ,The Only Surviving son of
Late Mr. Peter Cho . My father before his untimely death was an
Exporter of Cocoa and Gold . My Father was a Victim Of civil War that
took Place in our country Last year 2011. Before his death , He
deposited the Total Sum of FIVE MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND US
DOLLARS (USD $ 5,500.000.00 ) in the Bank for my inheritance. Based on
the political situation of my country , I humbly seek your assistance
to help me receive this money in your account and help me invest it in
your country.I humbly offer you 25% of the total sum for your
assistance.
All the details as regards this transaction will be given to you upon your reply.
Waiting to hear from you.
Yours Sincerely .
Henry Cho
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Anti-fraud resources:
