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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)
- "power of attorney" (with your bank details and a power of attorney form criminals sometimes empty bank accounts)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
Fraud email example:
From: "Albert Herrera" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <alberthererra7@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2015 04:07:41 +0700
Subject: Fw:
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Hello Friend,
I am aware of the unsafe nature of the internet, and was compelled to use this medium due to the nature of this project. I am Gen. Albert Herrera Jr. an American soldier presently in Kabul Afghanistan. Can you Be Trusted? Can I Entrust USD$10million Dollars in your care which is presently located in South East Asia through the source of United Nations. I will enlighten you more of this transaction as soon as I hear from you. I only need a trusted person to help me receive and secure this funds until I am through with my duty here Kabul Afghanistan.
As soon as I hear from you and you meet up my requirement I will proceed to give you details of the UN Agent to meet for the clearance and will issue you Power of Attorney to back you up.
Regards,
Gen.Albert Herrera
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Anti-fraud resources:
