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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)
- "million 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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr.Patrick Joseph" <mrpatrickj043@gmail.com>
Reply-To: "Mr.Patrick Joseph" <mrpatrickj09@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 25 Nov 2015 23:59:24 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Attention Please
Dear friend,
Although you might be apprehensive about my email as we have never met before. I am Mr.Patrick Joseph,a Banker and Auditor Manager, there is the sum of $16.5million Dollars currently in my branch, there were no beneficiary stated concerning these funds which means no one would ever come to claim it. This Funds can only be transferred to a Foreigner not resident hear because the funds was placed on a 'Transit Escrow Account'.
I will be pleased to work with you as trusted person and see that the fund is transferred out of my Bank into another Bank Account, If you agree to my business proposal.further details of the transfer will be forwarded to you as soon as i receive your return mail.
Hoping to hear from you as soon as possible.
Regards.
Mr.Patrick Joseph
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Anti-fraud resources:
