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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:
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: John Anderson <info@info.com>
Reply-To: johnanderson2219@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Mon, 04 Jul 2011 01:57:29 +1000
Subject: Re:
THIS IS FOR YOUR ATTENTION.
I wish to notify you again that you were listed as a
beneficiary to the total sum of £8,600,000.00 (Eight
Million Six Hundred Thousand Pounds) in the intent of
the deceased (name now withheld since this is our
second letter to you).In your acceptance of this deal,
I will make available the full details later on your
response because this is a legitimate transaction. You
will be entitled to 40% for your "management services"
We therefore reckoned that you can receive these funds
as you are qualified by your name identity. All the
legal papers will be processed on your response. In
your acceptance of this deal, we request that you
kindly forward any proof of identities of yours, your
current telephone and fax numbers and forwarding
address to enable us file necessary documents at our
high court probate division for the release of this sum
of money.
Yours faithfully
John Anderson
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Anti-fraud resources:
