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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 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.
- evasalia@aol.com (AOL; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Tang Kam Sun" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <evasalia@aol.com>
Date: Tue, 8 Nov 2011 06:28:07 +0100
Subject: Funds for Immediate Investment !!!
Funds for Immediate Investment
Dear Friend,
RE: Funds Investment and Management Placement.
We facilitating for a private investor who want to invest his financial estate in long-term business venture in your country/Company under your supervision.
You will be required to;
[1]. Receive the funds.
[2]. Invest and Manage the funds profitably.
The amount available for the investment is over Sixty Five Million United States Dollars (US$65M). My client is willing to negotiate percentage Management Commission as soon as the funds arrives your bank account. We expect to hear from you urgently as this is a high priority Investment Placement and kindly send the following information to enhance communication through:
Email: evasalia@aol.com
1). Full Names and Address
2). Company Name and Address
3). Telephone and Fax number
I look forward to your swift response to this mail.
Sincerely Yours,
Mr. Tang Kam Sun
Website: www.icbcasia.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
