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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)
- "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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Major.Grace Carney" <graceinspection8216@peoplepc.com>
Reply-To: graceinspection7216@peoplepc.com
Date: Mon, 11 Mar 2019 12:03:04 +0100
Subject: Hi Dear
Dear Friend,
I am presently in Syria and I found your contact particulars in an address journal. I am seeking your assistance to evacuate the sum of $14.800.000.00 (Fourteen Million Eight hundred Thousand United States Dollars) to you as far as I can be assured that it will be safe in your care until I complete my service here. This is no stolen money and there are no dangers involved.
SOURCE OF MONEY:
Some money in US DOLLARS was discovered and concealed in barrels at a location in Syria province when we conducted a foot patrol and it was agreed by all party present that the money be shared among us, this might appear as an illegal thing to do but I tell you what? No compensation can make up for the risks we have taken with our lives in this Hellhole.
Kindly let me know as soon as possible if you can help me secure the money until I return?
TRUSTING YOU
Major.Grace Carney
United States Soldier
US Troops Patrol/Peacekeeping Syria.
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Anti-fraud resources:
