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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:
- "dearest one," (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- ",500,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "urgent assistance" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Miss patica Pacome <harris01kp@yahoo.co.jp>
Reply-To: Miss patica Pacome <agisdmel@voila.fr>
Date: Sat, 15 Nov 2014 05:18:34 +0900 (JST)
Subject: INQUIRY FROM Miss PATICA PACOME K
INQUIRY FROM Miss PATICA PACOME K
Dearest One,
I am interested in establishing and operating a very viable business as a means of investment abroad with the Sum of US$9,500,000.00 I inherited from my Father.
My preference is any good profit yielding businesses you will suggest. My need for this business proposition is very urgent as I am planning to move out of my country and ensure that the money is invested profitably since it is my only and last hope of survival. my father during the political crises that engulfed my country. His killing was masterminded by his
relation because OF greed of his richness , my father death brought a serious sickness that lead to my mothers death recently.
my Mother before her death advise me to invest this money abroad so that i will not die like my Father because my fathers relative are still searching to get me killed and take this money thats why i need your urgent assistance .
I await your prompt and urgent response for more details.
Yours Respectfull
Miss PATICA PACOME
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Anti-fraud resources:
