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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:
- "00,000.00" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- 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.
- rssien@aol.com (AOL; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "FBI" <privacy@fbi.gov>
Reply-To: rssien@aol.com
Date: Sat, 15 May 2010 00:25:59 +0700
Subject: PRIVATE.
OFFICER IN-CHARGE:
NAME: Mr. Robert Stephen Sien @
FBI UK Internet Fraud Watch/Alert
Phone: +44 792 457 7408
We are writing in response to our track light monitoring device which we
received today in our office about your transactions.
The Federal Bureau Of Investigation (FBI) Washington DC, in conjunction with
the Scotland Yard, Has screened through our various Monitoring Networks also
our German counterpart the anti fraud unit reported that your
identity/information
was used to dupe a German Business man to the tune of $5 Million USD by some
Africa/Nigerian Fraudsters.
After all the series of investigations conducted here in our office we
tracked your
record and we found out that you have never had any fraudulent case
that may jeopardize your image and personality.
We have concluded our investigation and you have been approved to be
compensated
from the total amount recovered for scam victims compensation.
So all you need to do right now in other to receive your compensation and
clear your
name from the list of these Con Men which has already been forwarded to our
office is to secure the CLEAN BILL CERTIFICATE immediately.
This Certificate will clear your name from the scam list which will enable
you
receive the sum of $500,000.00 Usd compensation fund.
You are required to contact Robert S. Sien by email: rssien@aol.com with
your full
name and contact details for easy communication also to guild you on how to
secure
the CLEAN BILL CERTIFICATE and claim your money.
THANKS FOR YOUR CO-OPERATION.
Robert Stephen Sien.
FBI SPECIAL AGENT
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Anti-fraud resources:
