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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)
- "i want to solicit your attention" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "trunk box" (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)
- "trunk boxes" (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)
- "chambers" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "S. Jones" <leezmarttin@dmail.su>
Reply-To: "S. Jones" <freemai@barid.com>
Date: Mon, 7 Sep 2015 20:32:38 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Re! US ARMY
Dear Sir/Madam.
Am sending you this e-mail message with tears and heavy heart because of what i am facing here against terrorist threats. My colleagues die on daily basis as a result of incessant suicide bombing and attacks from Islamic group.
I pray that your e-mail address is still valid. I want to solicit your attention to finally receive a treasure boxes which contains Gold,Diamond and cash worth Millions of United States Dollars which I have moved to a location through the assistance of a delivery company which i shall inform you on how to contact the agent upon your response for you to receive the shipment on my behalf for our mutual benefit.
I am Capt. Jones S. Miller, an officer in the US Army, I am now redeployed to Afghanistan from Iraq, and I really need your help in assisting me with the safe keeping of two military trunk boxes. I found your e-mail address in Trade Center Chambers of Commerce directory here in Iraq.
I'll explain further when I receive a response from you. Nevertheless,if you are interested reconfirm the following to me as i trusted that you will not disappear and for delivery company to reach out to you.
(a) Your full Names
(b) Your physical mailing address
(c) Your direct telephone numbers
(d) Your occupation
(f) Your driven license or international passport
God bless you and thanks for cooperation in advance.
Best Regards,
Capt. S. Jones Miller.
US ARMY
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Anti-fraud resources:
