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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:
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned 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: "Caroline Colman" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <carolinecolman11@mail.almanet.kz>
Date: Wed, 19 Aug 2009 21:26:01 -0000
Subject: Message of Orphan From Miss Caroline Colman
>From Miss Caroline Colman.
I Miss Caroline Colman the only daughter of Dr Phillip Colman from Sierre-Leone country.I lost my parent and my late father Dr Phillip Colman made a deposit of money and the amount is USD$4M dollars in Abidjan Cote d'Ivoire.
I am presently in Abidjan where the money was been deposited and i want you to help me in receiving the money on my behalf as my chosen trustee guardian because my late father told me incase if he died that i should look for someone who has a legitimate bank account abroad to help me claim the money as i am still young.
As soon as i hear from you on the readness to assist me,I will send you the full details.
I believe you as an advanced person that you will not betray the trust i impose on you at the end of the transfer into your personal or Company's bank account.
I make up my mind to give you 10% of the total sum for your assistance.
Thanks and remain bless.
Waiting for your urgent reply
Yours lovely
Miss Caroline Colman.
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Anti-fraud resources:
