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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:
- "international remittance department" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Micheal Thompson" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <michealthompson@yandex.com>
Date: Wed, 30 Sep 2015 05:51:36 -0400
Subject: From Mr. Micheal Thompson
I am Mr. Micheal Thompson ; in the Surveillance unit of Citibank of London,Two days ago a silver metal box were intercepted by the customs at the London airport and brought to the Citibank of London,The box contained US$100 bills to the amount of US$9.2 million.
I was mandated to examine the box and upon my examination; I found out it was actually brought in from Africa and the first bail were stamped apparently to deceive the London customs. My purpose of contacting you is to know, if we can do business together concerning the funds in question.
Further details would be giving upon your response to this message.
DIRECTOR INTERNATIONAL REMITTANCE
DEPARTMENT/UNITEND NATIONS
CITIBANK LONDON
Yours faithfully,
Mr. Micheal Thompson
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Anti-fraud resources:
