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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:
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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)
- "u.k " (this email uses bad English)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +447024084708 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
Fraud email example:
From: "Rev.Raphael Oleg" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <rev.raphaelo@yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 22 Apr 2013 13:31:55 +0100
Subject: GOOD ELATIONSHIP.
Dear .Beloved get back to me if you are interested
Greetings to you in the name of our lord.
United Nations Office,
3 Whitehall Court SW1A
2EL London U.K
Tele. +44-702 408 4708
I have an important secret business to discuss with you and I believe you
will keep it secret and help me keep this money which was entrusted in my
hands as a clergy man from my peace keeping visit to Iraq during the peace
keeping mission .
I am a priest and I do not know how to explain about the money to my Parish
because in Ukraine, they will want to take over the 25.5 Million Dollars,
We can work together to achieve success if you will agree to claim the
money as donation.We will build schools; help out poor missionaries and
orphanages, we will teach people to know and to serve God.
I promised in the name of God, I will adequately compensate you with a
reasonable amount if you agree to assist me and i will like you to send
your phone number and contact address for fast communication for more
information.
Please keep this proposal secret and respond.
Regards,
Rev.Raphael Oleg
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Anti-fraud resources:
