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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:
- "% will be for you" (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 "dying widow" scam.
Fraud email example:
From: Michael Grady <mg10050@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <evelynmarshal2@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 9 Feb 2016 11:35:39 +0000
Subject: Your Attention Please.
Hello Dear ,
Please I need your attention. I am writing this mail to you with heavy tears In my eyes and great sorrow in my heart, My Name is Mrs. Evelyn Marshall. I married to Mr. Marshall O. Brendan, for Nine years before he died in the year 2011. We were married for nine years without a child. He died after a brief illness that lasted for only five days. Since his death I decided not to remarry. My late husband was a Gold and Precious Stones Marchant / Real Estate when he was Alive. He was poisoned to death by his brother's because of land dispute investment project. After the burial ceremony of my late husband. I was rejected of my right as the wife because of Africa tradition here, and I was left with nothings, Since the death of my late husband things become very hard for me to the extent I become very sick because of the family treat which lead me out from the matrimonial home.
Why I decided to contact you, My Doctor told me that I would not last for the period of time due to cancer problem. The one that disturbs me most is my stroke sickness. Having known my condition I decided to hand over to you the only inherited fund left by my late husband in a bank. I want you to use this inherited fund and take good care of the less-privileged people / charity organization. Please promise me that you will utilize this inherited fund the way I am going to instruct herein. Let 90% of the inherited fund goes to the charity organization and the less-privileged people. why 10% will be for your effort. So as soon as I receive your response accepting to help me accordingly. I will send you the certificate of deposit with the agreement letter issure to my late husband by the bank as proof to clams the inherited fund as the new beneficial in the bank.
Regards From.
Mrs. Evelyn Marshall.
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