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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.
- 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.
- advocate_ci@hotmail.com (Hotmail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Advocat Ci <advocat.ci@btinternet.com>
Reply-To: advocatci1@hotmail.com
Date: Mon, 10 May 2010 07:31:22 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: Message.
I am seeking your assistance to invest my late client’s daughter inheritance in real estate business in your country.
The main aims of contacting you are to assist my late client’s daughter in few ways (1) to assist her transfer her inheritance to your account. If possible you can set up a special account on your name. After the fund will be transferred to your account she will come to your country to continue her education. (2)To help her have a stay in your country when she will come over to meet with you and continue her education (3) to help her manage the real estate investment until she is old enough to handle it.
Upon your response I will give you all the details procedures on how to go about this investment but I can guarantee that all will be handled according to law.
I would like to let you know that she is willing to give you 15% of total amount for your assistance and before procession of this investment I will draft an agreement between you and her for good understanding.
Your immediately response will be highly appreciated. Please do email me on thus; advocate_ci@hotmail.com
Thanks and God bless you.
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Anti-fraud resources:
