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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:
- "hundred thousand united states dollars" (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)
- "fund beneficiary" (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 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Marian Ondilo <col.maryamxsea@gmail.com>
Reply-To: xmariandilo10@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 06 Jun 2017 14:12:17 -0500
Subject: Dear Friend
Compliment of the day, my name is (Sgt. Marian) a “ARMY†officer working
for the United Nations (U.N) peace keeping troop in Syria on war against
terrorism. I have in my possession the total sum of $2.7m (Two million
seven hundred thousand united states dollars) which i discovered on a
numerous duty. I came to realize that he crisis here is still cannot be
settled at the moment the security company where i deposited this fund
wants to close down as the information was passed to me by the company
director, so decided to move this money out from this country.
I am contacting you for assistance to stand as the fund beneficiary and
to receive it as i hope to send it across to you, if possible use it for
any profitable business/ investment in your country for our mutual
benefit! I will be coming to meet you immediately after my mission here
in Syria as this will bring a family relationship. In appreciation of
this, i will offer you 25% of this total money for your assistance
thereby making this fund a foundation and source of my life. Waiting for
your response!
Thanks,
Yours Faithfully,
Sgt. Marian
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Anti-fraud resources:
