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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:
- "can i completely trust you?" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Miss Gado Marie-Patrice <gmp001smailbox@rediffmail.com>
Reply-To: kkb012007@yahoo.co.jp
Date: Wed, 15 Jun 2011 05:21:43 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Greetings.
Greetings.
My apologies to you and to my intrusion into your privacy.
I ask for help and also go into a business partnership with you. Please, do not abuse the trust that I’ll check on you. I am Miss Gado Marie-Patrice I am a daughter of the twin pair Presidential Ivory Coast. I seek your assistance in order to recover a large sum that my father Mr Laurent Gbagbo has deposited in a bank instead.
University with a degree I do not really know what to do because the arrest of my relatives brings pain to my life. I pledge to offer 20% of the total amount and 5% for your assistance to transfer this amount to your designated account. While remaining as confidential, I send you proof my identity and other documents you reassuring on this case and all the details on possible legal proceedings to follow.
Please: I need your help to move the money into your country and also help me in any field of investment.
Let me ask her some questions:
1. Can I completely trust you?
2. What percentage of the amount that will be good for you?
Look at this and give me an answer as soon as possible. Your suggestions and ideas will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
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Anti-fraud resources:
