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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "please indicate your interest" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "confidential business" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "very confidential" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
- 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.
- lubkemann1@aim.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Lubkemann Detlef" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <hgzh14@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Wed, 19 Aug 2009 00:23:37 +0200
Subject: Contact me for more information
Dear Friend,
Greetings! I have an urgent and very confidential business proposition for you for the transfer of Twenty Million Euros (EUR20M) to your account for investment for both of us. I am the executive director of Volksbank Kirnau eG in Germany, I cannot operate it alone without using a Foreigner who will stand as a beneficiary to the money. This is why i decided to contact you in a good manner to assist me. A customer made a fixed deposit of Twenty Million Euros (EUR20M) in my bank branch (Volksbank Kirnau eG in Germany)and he died with his entire family in a plane crash leaving behind no next of kin, I am ready to share 50/50 percent with you if you choose to stand as my deceased client next of kin.
Please indicate your interest by mailing me at my private email; lubkemann1@aim.com
Thanks and regards.
Detlef Lubkemann
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Anti-fraud resources:
