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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:
- "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.
- 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.
- kkkcool@sify.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "John M. Walters" <kkkcool0101@hotmail.fr>
Reply-To: kkkcool@sify.com
Date: Fri, 21 May 2010 02:37:06 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: Hello friend.
Dear friend,
I want to transfer ($2,500.000.00) Two million Five hundred
thousand United States Dollars to overseas account.
Your assistance as a foreigner is necessary because the
management of the bank will welcome any foreigner who has correct information
to this account which I will give to you immediately, if you are interested to
do this business with me please reply with the assurance, include your private
telephone and fax numbers as it is necessary to facilitate an easy
communication in this transaction.
As soon as you reply, I will let you know the next step to
follow in order to finalize this transaction immediately. I expect your urgent
communication.
Upon your response and strong assurance that you will not
let me down once the fund goes into your account.
I will let you know the origin of the fund and the transfer
procedures without delay.
Yours sincerely.
John M. Walters.
E-mail: kkkcool@sify.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
