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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:
- "is highly confidential" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "JORGE VAN HAYDEN" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <privatebox.private@qq.com>
Date: Mon, 9 Jul 2018 00:35:21 -0700
Subject: RE: THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT -
Attention:
I am an Investment Lawyer that handled a secret offshore investment for a now deceased investor who died during the Malaysian Airline MH370 that disappeared years back. The details of this secret investment that is now due for payment will interest you as the details and original investment documents are readily available with me. The investment fund is due for payment by Chase Bank New York.
I shall give you further details as soon as you reply confirming receipt of this email indicating your interest to partner with me to secure the release of the fund to you as next of kin entitled to the fund.
Please Note: This is Highly Confidential.
I await your Reply ASAP.
Regards,
Jorge Van Hayden
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Anti-fraud resources:
