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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:
- "million 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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Sergeant Ron Harris <kotokaviation@gmail.com>
Reply-To: ron.harris@usa.com
Date: Mon, 26 Jun 2017 03:50:31 -0700
Subject: Good Day
Hello Good Day,
How are you doing?i am a soldier deployed to Kabul,Afghanistan in a peace
mission.This is my second time in a peace mission abroad.i was at the
Operation Iraqi Freedom.i am a veteran and and set up my own private
security company.Base on my excellence in my profession both on and off the
field i was awarded many contracts.I am coming back to the states and want
to enjoy my private-civilian life.i sold my security company at a cost of
$250 Million (Two hundred and fifty million Dollars)to three of my senior
retired generals who are interested to tak affairs of the company.But stil
am a member of the executive board of directors.
With the security orientation.My family at home are under security
surveillance by the department of defense.That is the rule of thumb for
every private contractors serving abroad.i am looking for partnership
(investor) to invest in any profitable business venture.i was chosen by
United Nation for international security affairs.The investor will receive
the fund on my behalf while i do my official work with United Nation(UN).
In your respond i will send you further details.
Anticipating your respond
Sgt.Ron Harris
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Anti-fraud resources:
