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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)
- "united state of america" (this email uses bad English)
- This email message is a orphan scam.
Fraud email example:
From: "Teresa Dorsey" <purchase1@inspiron.co.in>
Reply-To: tdorsey19@yahoo.com
Date: 26 Aug 2020 03:16:23 -0700
Subject: Personal message
Greetings
I'm Miss Teresa Dorsey, 19 years old. My father was a very
wealthy oil
merchant and businessman in the United State of America USA MY
father was poisoned to death by his brothers because they want to
take over his properties and wealth.
My father left the huge sum for me in the in a fixed/suspense
account for me which I want you to stand as my trustee to claim
this from the bank so that i will come over to your country to
further my education in your care.
I will give you further details as soon as I hear from you, and
you must treat this highly confidential for security reasons.
Your suggestions and ideas will be highly regarded. Now permit me
to
ask these few questions:-
1. Can I completely trust you as the new beneficiary of this
fund?
2. What percentage of the total amount in question will be good
for you?
3. Can you help me to further my Education in your Country in a
good university?
4. Help me invest this money in a good business without betrayal?
Thanks and God bless
Teresa Dorsey
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Anti-fraud resources:
