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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:
- "transfer cost" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Office Contact" <husein1@nooralanoor.net>
Reply-To: gvonen9101@gmail.com
Date: 25 Jul 2016 05:19:53 -0400
Subject: RE: URGENT PLEASE
Hello,
My name is Gen. Huseyin Gulcehre Bogdan.I need someone to help me
receive funds. I got your email address on google lookup. I have
all proof of funds which I made when I am still in my active
service as an Army general. I will send to you proof of my funds
in UNITED KINGDOM but you will have to travel to UNITED KINGDOM
and sign claim of funds. I want to entrust the total $50,000,
000.00 million to your care. I have an old lawyer friend in
UNITED KINGDOM who will accompany you to the bank and sign claim
of funds, the lawyer will help me pay the little transfer cost. I
could have loved to meet with you but our Turkey government is
looking for me and other Army General who plan coup to take over
the government 16 July 2016.
How much is your flight cost?
I will ask my lawyer if he have enough money to transfer to you
to flight down to United Kingdom.
I am presently in Kazakhstan hiding with my wife. Please I don't
want you to discuss this transaction with anyone so that the
Turkey government will not locate me.
Please prepare to travel to UNITED KINGDOM and claim my funds.
We can make a plan for a long term business relationship.
My wife said she have been calling you on phone but no answer
from you, I hope we have the right phone number.
Get back to us soon.
Regards for on behalf of my Family
Tel: 703197576
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Anti-fraud resources:
