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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "johansvanholn@cantv.net" <johansvanholn@cantv.net>
Date: Tue, 22 Sep 2009 06:57:22 -0430
Subject: Hello Dear
Hello Dear.
My name is Mr Johan K. V. Svanholm, American Citizen, I
am a dying man
who has decided to WILL his fortune to you for Charity
work.
I am 88 years old and was diagnosed for cancer about 2 years
ago, Kindly
Contact me if you are interested in carrying out this task,
so that I will
submit your information to the bank for the release of
the funds
($3.265Million USD) to you.
I know I have never met you
but instincts tells me to do this, and I hope
you act
sincerely.
Thank you and remain blessed.
Mr Johan K. V.
Svanholm.
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Anti-fraud resources:
