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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:
- "million united states 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)
- "can i trust you?" (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.
- 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.
- mrsannagtayeb@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs. Annag Tayeb. El Safi" <gilsonnene@gmail.com>
Reply-To: mrsannagtaye@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 9 Nov 2015 10:24:00 +0100
Subject: Can i trust you
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Good day and how are you today?
My name is Mrs. Annag Tayeb. El Safi, i live in Birmingham UK, 65years old
widow suffering from esophageal cancer. My late husband is a Russian
businessman who left me with no Kids of my own.
Can i trust you? for a charitable Trust of USD$21.9 Million United States
Dollars. to build a shelter home for the less privileged / Orphanage
children in your country/city.
when am no more alive. This was my reason for contacting you and i believe
you will not find it difficult to help me?
Your reward from me will be 30% of the money for your efforts and
volunteering yourself to handle this Charity organization on my behalf.
Take note there is no illegal activity on this; I have the document to
prove this money legal. I will be waiting for reply as soon as possible for
more details.
I will provide you further information once you indicate your willingness.
Regards,
Mrs. Annag Tayeb. El Safi
Email: mrsannagtayeb@gmail.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
