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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:
- "million british pounds" (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)
- ",000,000" (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: KENNEDY PUMATA <kenpumata@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: kenpumata@gmail.com
Date: Sat, 01 May 2010 12:39:19 +0100
Subject: CAN I TRUST YOU?
Greetings,
I am Mr. Kennedy Pumata a chief director with a Prime Finance House somewhere
in Europe. I have a business proposal of (£11,000,000) Eleven Million British
Pounds Sterling in our Finance House. I came across your contact
information as
I was searching for an individual who will collaborate with me to have this
money secured and transfer in his custody for investment purpose. If you would
not mind, could you be of an assistant to me in this proposition?
Secondly, Can
I trust you in this business deal? If you found yourself worthy and capable to
Handle this project and as well work harmoniously with me to have this deal
achieved kindly get back to me so that I will provide you with necessary
Information and more particulars on what I intended to champion out with you.
Please email me back in respect to this business proposal. It will be
beneficial and rewarding to all parties concerned. Thanks for your time and
attention in reading through the lines of this preposition even if it does not
call your attention promptly.
I anticipate on your cooperation.
Regards,
Mr. Kennedy Pumata
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Anti-fraud resources:
