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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)
- "million 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)
- "captivity_bank_agent@micro.lt" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Agent Prilidnge Swanman" <info.bankdatabase@super.lt>
Reply-To: captivity_bank_agent@micro.lt
Date: Sun, 21 Mar 2010 13:10:21 -0300 (BRT)
Subject: SEEKING FOR MERCHANT WITH A BUSINESS HORIZON
Dear Friend,
I am Mr. Prilidnge Swanman I work as an Agent in Captivity and Omenga Bank
in United State, it happens that my boss Mr. Cohen Ruthford the Fund
Transfer manager need an international business dealers, who have
exclusively more experience in standard and mature business ideas.
My boss is willing to sponsor any business you think can reproduce more
profit in your country and as at today we have un-touch 56.6million
dollars for the out standing of any profited international business
mediators.
If you in any way find interest to work and spread out this fund in any
agreed business in your country please do get back to us via the email
below:
Web Address: omenga_bank_agent@blog.lt
captivity_bank_agent@micro.lt
Regards,
Mr. Prilidnge Swanman
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Anti-fraud resources:
