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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)
- "huge deposit" (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 next of kin scam.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- 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.
- richard_phillips37@aol.com (AOL; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Richard phillip <richardrrrr40@gmail.com>
Reply-To: richardphillips@email.com
Date: Fri, 20 Jun 2014 10:36:28 +0100
Subject: INVESTMENT PROPOSAL.
Dear Friend,
I am Mr. Richard Phillips, a Lawyer in the UK.I am reaching out to you
in respect of an investment opportunity.
I am soliciting your assistance in repatriating the funds and property
left behind by my late client before it will be declared unserviceable
by the bank where the huge deposit is lodged and confiscated by the
Government. My Client died Intestate (without Will) and every attempt
to trace any member of his extended family has proved unsuccessful as
he died with his entire first family.
I will give you more information upon your response. If this proposal
is acceptable to you, kindly email your following information to me
for further confirmation.
A. Private telephone and fax numbers.
B. Your postal/residential address
C. Identification/Occupation.
I humbly look forward to your soonest response.
Yours Faithfully
Mr.Richard Phillips
17 New Fetter Lane
Fleet Street
London
EC4A 1AN
PEmail:richard_phillips37@aol.com
Phone:+447937417683
Fax: +447104417683
Skype:richard.phillips6990
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Anti-fraud resources:
