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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 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.
- mfrankcarty@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Nickael T. Wood" <luigibedeschi@alice.it>
Reply-To: mfrankcarty@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2014 15:52:35 +0200 (CEST)
Subject: last will and testament
Hello, my name is Nickael Wood, founder of grace house charity foundation. I am
happy to find you today. It has been very chaotic in my life as i am facing a
very big challenge of Parkinson disease and at the tip end of my life according
to the neurologist because have less opportunity to survive "a must do"
prescribed surgery today. I (and my late husband) have willed $9.7million
dollars to you from our estate, 50% to you and the next 50% for the charity
organizations listed in an attachment page to my will. YOU have been chosen to
represent us. I am going in for surgery in few hours and have to make this
decision at this time. Please do respect my wishes and work towards them as you
will not regret being involved with me. Email my attorney, Mr. Wayne McCarty
now for your entitlement. His email is mfrankcarty@gmail.com I trust him to
give you the best service. In case, just in case I don't make it through with
this deadly disease, Please do not fail me. This is the most difficult time in
my life. I will contact you if I make it through. Nickael Wood.
sent from my iphone
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Anti-fraud resources:
