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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: "THOMAS BIGAR" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <thomasa.bigger@aol.com>
Date: Mon, 2 Jun 2014 07:28:56 -0400
Subject: <First Quarter 2014 Investment Advice U.S.A>
Good-Day,
In total honesty,sincerity and with full provision to the statutes of the law, I need your cooperation to transfer $50million dollars in Unclaimed Deposit which has remained unclaimed since 2004 with a depository in Europe.
The Funds will be moved to any of our correspondent Banks in "YOUR NAME" immediately to secure the funds and begin transfer procedure into nominal accounts of your choice situate in any country.
The Principal will be shared in a 40:60 ratio with the larger part coming to my department and some funds must be set aside as contingency expenses which may be incurred during the course of this. I have decided not to delay any moment later with ambiguous or nondescript sentences,get back to me at once if you will proceed and i will furnish you with relevant procedure necessary to begin transfer of ownership. I suggest a face to face meeting via Skype to gain confidence and be better acquainted before we meet in person.
Please Get back to me with private telephone number for contact and scanned copy of ID for confirmation.
Respectfully,
Tom Bigar
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Anti-fraud resources:
