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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:
- "may come to you as a surprise" (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.
- 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.
- smrmichael64@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr.Michael Smith."<mrmichaels413@gmail.com>
Reply-To: smrmichael64@gmail.com
Date: Sat, 29 Jun 2019 00:06:28 -0700
Subject: I Ask For Your Partnership in this business transaction.
Greetings!
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How are you today? Hope fine?
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This proposal may come to you as a surprise considering the fact that we =
have not met in person. However, I want you to see it as a kind and honest =
proposal from me.
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I have been mandated by my associate to solicit for the assistance of a r=
eliable and honest foreign partner that will act as the investment manager =
in the investment of his funds in profitable and lucrative projects. My ass=
ociate has funds available for investments in lucrative and profitable busi=
ness ventures. I solicit for your assistance in this business partnership.
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If you are interested in this lucrative business partnership, please let =
me know so that I will give you more details about this pending transaction.
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I look forward to hearing from you soonest.
=
=
Best Regards,
Mr. Michael Smith.
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smrmichael64@gmail.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
