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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.
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Robert Penman" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <rpenman012@hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 15 Jan 2014 00:44:27 +0530
Subject: Beneficial Transaction
Hello
I need your services in a confidential matter regarding fund (£56.8 Million) in a client's family beneficiary deposit. This requires a very private arrangement hence my decision to contact you based on a positive recommendation I got from your embassy's business chamber of commerce portal.
You will receive these funds under legal claims as all legal documents will be carefully worked out to ensure a risk free transfer of these funds to you, 35% of the total sum would be your own portion at the end of this deal for your anticipated kind assistance.
I have all the details of the transaction worked out already. The funds in question are quite large (£56.8M) and I will expect a straight answer from you. If you are willing to assist, kindly furnish me with your personal information which must include your direct cell phone and fax numbers, your address and company name.
Be assured that every procedure of this transaction will be executed in the most legal and hitch free manner and we will not contravene our respective countries laws.
Please get back to me through my private email, i will furnish you with my telephone number as soon as i receive a positive reply from you.
Thanks as I expect to hear from you.
Robert Penman.
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Anti-fraud resources:
