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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:
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "observe utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
- 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.
- chankingshan@yahoo.com.hk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Chan King Shan" <rsmith@thetimestribune.com>
Reply-To: chankingshan@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2015 22:40:00 -0500
Subject: Reply me..
I am Mr. Chan King Shan, Credit Officer of DBS BANK LTD HONG KONG. I have a confidential brief I need your partnership in re- profiling funds.
What I require from you is your honest co-operation, I guarantee you that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you and I from any breach of the law.
Please this email is not to be disclosed to a third party and disregard if you do not appreciate this proposition I have offer you.
There is no risk at all as all the paperwork for this transaction will be done by the attorney and with my position as the credit officer guarantees the successful execution of this transaction.
If you are really interested in doing this business with me please reply immediately to this email address: chankingshan@yahoo.com.hk
Upon your response, I shall then provide you with more details and relevant documents that will help you understand the transaction.
You should observe utmost confidentiality, and rest assured that this transaction would be most profitable for both of us because I shall require your assistance to invest my share in your country.
Awaiting your urgent reply
Thanks
Mr. Chan King Shan
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Anti-fraud resources:
