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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:
- "i want to solicit your attention" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "trunk box" (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)
- "trunk boxes" (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)
- "contact me immediately" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "chambers" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Tim Blair" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <timblairh@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 15 Aug 2016 19:49:28 -0700
Subject: VERY URGENT.
Hello,
I am sorry to encroach into your privacy in this manner, I found you
listed in the Trade Center Chambers of Commerce directory here in
Afghanistan and I find it pleasurable to offer you my partnership in
business.
I only pray at this time that your address is still valid. I want to
solicit your attention to receive money on my behalf.
I am Capt Tim Blair, an officer in the USA Army attached with NATO
Military force in Afghanistan/Iraq for Peace keeping force.
I am presently in Afghanistan and i really need your help in
assisting me with the safe keeping of two military trunk boxes. I hope
you can be trusted? If you can be trusted, I will explain further
when i get a response from you.
Nevertheless, reconfirm the following to me as follows and contact me
immediately.
1.Name:
2.Address:
3.Telephone:
4.Occupation:
5.Copy of drivers license:
Thanks,
Capt Tim Blair
US Army.
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Anti-fraud resources:
