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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million united state 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)
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "transaction is 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.
- 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.
- robert.carl@usa.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "MR.CARL ROBERT" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <robert.carl@usa.com>
Date: Sat, 1 Aug 2015 15:31:14 +0430
Subject: HELLO DEAR!!!
Dear,
I am a soldier and my name is Robert Carl. I have something very important to discuss with you.
I want to send the sum of $1.2 million united state dollars for you to keep under your safe custody and management.
For your participation, in receiving and keeping the funds for me until I come to your country to meet you, I will give you 20 percent for helping me to receive the fund in your country.
If you believe you have the capability and what it takes to receive this fund in your country, reply immediately with this email: robert.carl@usa.com, So that I can give you more information about me.
My dear friend, do not be afraid and I assure you this transaction is risk free.
I await your urgent reply now.
BEST REGARDS
CARL.
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Anti-fraud resources:
