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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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Alli Mustapha <mustapha2@dxx1.onmicrosoft.com>
Reply-To: <allimustapha001@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 2016 16:01:41 +0400
Subject: Re Investment
Dear Friend, I have a Mutual/Beneficial Business Project which I want
to embark on.
1. Can you handle a project on my behalf?
2. Can I give you this trust ?
Please note that the deal required high level of maturity, honesty and
secrecy. I am an accountant with the Nigerian National Petroleum
Corporation. I want to push out some money from my office on trust to
your hands or bank account for safe keeping.
These are legitimate funds, so you will not be exposed to any risk. I
request for your full co-operation. I will give you details and
procedure when I get your reply.
To commence this transaction,I require you to immediately indicate
your interest with a return mail.
Best Regard,
Alli Mustapha
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Anti-fraud resources:
