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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:
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "MR. DESMOND ELIS" <"www."@viola.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: desmondelis03@gmail.com
Date: Sat, 14 Jan 2017 13:37:51 +0900 (JST)
Subject: FROM FEDERAL BANK OF SCOTLAND
ATTENTION PLEASE
i have arrieved John F. Kennedy International Airport new york city today with your SWISS ATM CARD worth 4.5 million united state dollar, but unfortunately to me the usa custom officer detains me because of foreigner certificate and international diplomatics ensurance affairs which they told me to pay $500 but i have pay them $350 right now, so therefore i want you to come to the Airport and collect your fund card. but if you can't come to the Airport now, you are require to pay them the remaining $150 so that i will proceed to your home address.
Thanks and God bless you
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Anti-fraud resources:
