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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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. )
- 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.
- antonio.pascual@post.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Antonio Pascual <test6@parsvnath.com>
Reply-To: <osaclearance@aol.co.uk>
Date: Fri, 23 Aug 2013 15:54:23 +0200
Subject: Hello Sir.
Dear Sir,
My name is Antonio Pascual, a student in Spain; i have an inherited fund that was deposited in a security company on my name in Hong Kong by my late father, who was once the director of Petroleum Task Force in my country until his death. However i have not been to your country before but i would like you to give me details of investment opportunities and also assist me to invest in your country.
Reply to this mail address: Antonio.Pascual@post.com
Thanks as you reply.
Antonio Pascual.
Disclaimer:-The information in this e-mail is confidential meant to be used only by the addressee. Access to this e-mail by anyone else or downloading copy thereof or further distribution /circulation by or to any person other than the original addressee would be illegal. This e-mail has been successfully scanned about the presences/existence of virus and it is recommended that any attachment to be launched by the addressee shall be duly scanned before launching the same. Parsvnath disclaim any responsibility for any damage to any party in any manner, by user of this e-mail.
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Anti-fraud resources:
