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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:
- "a security company " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "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)
- "a diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist 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: "MRS.MARY P DUGGAN" <info@acmeinscompany.com>
Reply-To: contact@maryduggan.info
Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 23:41:52 -0600
Subject: BE BLESSED
Dear beloved
I would be sincerely apologizing for this message if this message will be in any disturbed to you. My doctor just informed me that I am suffering from cancer throat which I suffer Terribly my marital status is such that my Husband is late, I left alone NO children, I am a Canadian citizen who Stays in London UK who worked as a diplomat for many years, I have no one to whom I could leave my INHERITANCE.
That is why I contacted you to know if you will work for me to use this money for work of God When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of $3.5 Million Dollars with a security company in London United Kingdom Presently this money is still in the custody of the security company in London I want you to use this money for humanitarian project. And the need people or for any other good humanitarian work. If you will do this work Please let me know so that I can give you more details about this project, but I would like you to think very well before replying me this message thanks Mrs. Mary D
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Anti-fraud resources:
