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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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- 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.
- s_hester2000@aol.com (AOL; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Steven Hester" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <s_hester2000@aol.com>
Date: Sun, 10 Jan 2016 06:35:20 -0800
Subject: I am a financial broker dealing in bank instruments
Good day,
I am a financial broker dealing in bank instruments such as Medium Term Notes and Bank Guarantees.
I also assist clients to source for lead investors who can fund viable projects that make appreciable
return on investment.
However I am contacting you presently with regard to a laudable opportunity which will be highly beneficial mutually.
A principal consulting with me presently has Cash totaling seventy-five million United States Dollars consigned in
three tranches of twenty-five million each.
The principal is willing to release the funds to an investor who is ready and able to receive the funds in the present
state as cash and then handle the conveyance, banking and investment of the funds. The funds are open for long term
and short term investment as long as the annual ROI is acceptable.
This proposition is very urgent and more details will be furnished upon receipt of a positive response.
Thank you in anticipation of your cooperation and hoping to hear from you soonest.
Yours sincerely
Steven Hester
s_hester2000@aol.com
SMS: +447624802986
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Anti-fraud resources:
