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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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)
- "a diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "offshore account" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- 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.
- thomas.hill70@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "ATM dept" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <activation.atmcenter@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 22 Nov 2016 09:11:30 +0800
Subject: This is my second email
Dear Friend
I hope all is well with you and your family? I want to thank you for your past effort,the trust you placed in the transaction despite we did not get the fund then.The good news is that I had the fund transferred into an offshore account with a new partner in USA.All letters sent to your address were returned undelivered, I hope this letter reaches you on time.Meanwhile,I thought it good not to leave you with nothing,in appreciation I have deposited a One Million and Seven Hundred dollars, with the mandate that you receive it through a diplomat within USA to forestall any fowl play.
All you have to do is to contact
Mr.THOMAS HILL JR
Atlanta Georgia USA
email: thomas.hill70@yahoo.com
Phone: +1 860 381 4567
Mr. Thomas Hill Jr will instruct you on how to receive the card. Ensure you reconfirm the details below when contacting him
1. mailing Address:
2: Nearest Airport
3. Phone:
Dr. Greg David
Scottish investment House. London England
phone: +44 161 850 8440
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Anti-fraud resources:
