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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Christian Kollmann" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <ckollmans07@yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 15 Oct 2018 20:52:55 -0700
Subject: Hello Friend.
Dear Friend.
I have a client that happens to share the same surname with you and he deposited some funds were I work and unfortunately he died without any contact of his next of kin.
However,since you share the same surname with the man in question.I would like both of us to work together to move the funds to your account so that both of us can benefit from the investment.
It is my noble intention to present you as his next of kin so that you and I can equally benefit from this investment.I want to assure you that the process of this great project would be absolutely done under the legal and legitimate laws of your country and mine.
Upon my receipt of your favorable response, I shall immediately make available to you all necessary information regarding the above.
Expecting your reply.
With Friendly Greeting,
Christian Kollmann
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Anti-fraud resources:
