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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "because it still remains the fastest medium of communication" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "your country for safe keeping" (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)
- "there is no risk involved" (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.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
Fraud email example:
From: "Luis Parret" <luisparret@gmail.com>
Reply-To: luisparret2@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 11 Aug 2015 19:10:23 -0300 (BRT)
Subject: Very Urgent From Luis Parret!
My Dear Friend
Please welcome my message with your sincere heart,I feel quite safe
contacting you for this important business/deal.
Though this medium (Internet) has been greatly abused, I choose to reach
you through it because it still remains the fastest medium of
communication. However, this correspondence is private, and it should be
treated in strict confidence. Actually I got your contact detail in
my search on Foreign Information Network Online and I am contacting you so
that we can agree on the legal transfer of US$385.2M which was
left in the bank by my late client Ghazi Mazhar Qadim who died in syria
with all his family and since he has no relative left.
I'm seeking your cooperation and assistance to help me move the money to
your country for safe keeping and investment plans if you are capable of
handling huge funds.I will give you 40% and 40% for me,10% for the
expenses and 10% i wish to donate to charity,You have my assurance that
there is no risk involved in this transaction because i have the original
document with me and i have been to and to confirm it. All I need is your
sincere contribution and assistance.
View the link below and confirm the body of my late Client:
http://ewn.co.za/2013/04/18/Harem-residents-live-in-fear
Please reply affirmatively for more detail if you are willing to help.
Thanks
Luis Parret (ESQ)
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Anti-fraud resources:
