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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:
- ",500,000" (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 next of kin scam.
Fraud email example:
From: "Juan Sanchez" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <juansanchez1@gmx.es>
Date: Sun, 3 Apr 2011 14:17:15 +0200
Subject: Good Day
***I am a lawyer here in Spain* I solicit your assistance in repatriating the sum $17,500,000USD left behind by a customer*She died in a motor accident here in Marbella* this money must be cleared from the bank before it is declared unserviceable within the next 30days* Every attempt to trace any member of his extended family proved abortive* I will give you more information upon your response to this proposal*
Please send me a reply if you will be able and willing to assist in this transaction.
Email : juansanchez1@gmx.es
Regard,
Juan
J.J
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Anti-fraud resources:
