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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:
- "you will be entitled to 30%" (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)
- "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Erik Byske" <info@NILGIRIHOMESTAY.COM>
Reply-To: byske12@yandex.com
Date: Fri, 3 Jul 2015 15:04:37 +0530
Subject: Investment Fund Transfer (Attn: Director)
Attn:
We have not met each other as I got your contact through the Internet
business directory. I need your assistance to evacuate my money into your
country in the sum of $8.5 Million for investment purposes. The funds are
already with a trusted Financial Institute in Europe for safe keeping,
while I am seeking for an asylum here in US. I will like you assist me
collect the funds from the Security Company as I cannot travel out from US
at the moment since I I have not perfected my asylum documents.
Please, if you accept this offer of assistance you are required to forward
to me your full name, contact address and direct telephone numbers. The
Following is expected from you:
1. You will act on my behalf to contact the Security Company to secure the
funds on my behalf and open a Bank account in your country for me with the
credentials i will give you.
2. You will be entitled to 30% of the total sum involved for your assistance.
3. As soon as you confirm to me by e-mail your readiness to work with me,
I will send you the necessary document and Finance House contact details.
Please note that this project is 100% risk free but you should keep it
under wrap and assure me of your total commitment in safe guarding this
transaction. I expect your prompt reply via email
Regards,
Mr. Erik Byske
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Anti-fraud resources:
