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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 sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "please indicate your willingness" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Morgan Trust & Securities - USA <cashatmorgan21@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: ftd2012@yahoo.co.jp
Date: Thu, 27 Aug 2015 05:13:07 -0700
Subject: MORGAN TRUST & SECURITIES - USA
MORGAN TRUST & SECURITIES
HOUSTON - TEXAS, USA
TEL/FAX: 832 528 895
Dear Sir/Madam,
SIR,
THIS IS TO INFORM YOU THAT WE HAVE BEEN CONTACTED BY THE UNITED NATION (UN) TO PAY YOUR CONTRACT & INHERITED FUND BY CASH PAYMENT. THIS SEEMS TO BE UNCONVENTIONAL MODE OF PAYMENT BUT IT WAS RECOMMENDED BY WORLD BANK AUDITORS / IMF OBSERVERS INVITED BY THE U.S GOVERNMENT ON THE PAYMENT DELAY BY BANK OFFICIALS. IT WAS OBSERVED THAT FAKE DRAFTS AND UNREALISTIC WIRE TRANSFERS HAS MADE FOREIGN CONTRACTORS TO ALMOST ABANDONE THEIR HARD EARNED MONEY DUE TO FUSTRATION.
THIS MODE OF PAYMENT WAS SEEN AS THE ONLY OPTION.
THE CASH IS REAL AND REQUIRE NO OTHER TREATMENT .YOU WILL BE ASSISTED TO DEPOSIT THE CASH TO YOUR BANK.
PLEASE INDICATE YOUR WILLINGNESS TO PICK UP YOUR MONEY.YOUR CASH WILL BE DELIVERED DIRECTLY TO YOUR DESIGNATED ADDRESS AFTER PROOF OF RIGHTFUL CLAIM. ONLY USD5 MILLION WILL BE PAID AT THIS TIME.
AWAITING FOR YOUR RESPONSE.
REGARDS
KEN LLOYD
OPERATIONS MANAGER
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Anti-fraud resources:
