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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:
- "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 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.
- privateinvestor52@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Mr James Jim Vincoli <davidgoldmanora47@gmail.com>
Reply-To: privateinvestor52@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 28 Jul 2017 12:59:25 +0100
Subject: Bank Gaurantee/ Loan
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Attention:
I want to solicit your partnership to transfer the sum of {Seventy Two
Million,Four hundred thousand USD} deposited in NBD (National Bank of
Abu Dhabi) United Arab Emirates to any of an offshore account with
your assistance acting as Beneficiary which will be a benefit to both
of us and I shall be compensating you with 40% at he final conclusion.
Then i will invest the fund in your country with any good profitable
and lucrative business venture which you will recommend for me. So you
will read very carefully and tell me your option about this investment
proposal.
On receipt of your response, I will forward to you further information
which will give you a clear overview of this opportunity. If you feel
this may be of interest to you or you may know anyone who has
legitimate need , write me back as at this moment, as I am
constrained to issue more details and clarification.
I look forward with your swift response on my private email address
privateinvestor52@gmail.com
Regards,
Mr. James Jim Vincoli
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Anti-fraud resources:
