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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:
- "million us dollars" (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.
Fraud email example:
From: NORA EDWARDS <nora.edwards@btinternet.com>
Reply-To: nora_edwards01@yahoo.cn
Date: Sat, 17 Jul 2010 05:55:38 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: I need your help to invest in your country.
I need your help to invest in your country.
Dear,
First of all,my name is Nora,I am the daughter of Mr.Donald Edwards.My father was a contractor to one of our country government oil company before he was assasinated early this year by gunmen on his way back from his office.I am sending this mail from a little guest house where I am presently hiding away from the people that killed my father.My reason for contacting you is for you to help me in my plan to transfer the 3.2 Million US dollars which my late father deposited in a bank to your country for investment.Though I have not tell the bank about my plan to transfer this money out of their bank but I wish to do so when you accept to help me sincerely.
The second help I would need from you is this,after the bank have transfered the money to your account in your country you will arrange for me to join you in your country so that you and I will discuss how you will invest the money for me.
Please I want you to keep everything concerning this money secret because I don`t want anything to happen to the money or to me when I come over to your country.
I am waiting for your reply after you have finished reading this mail.
My regards to you.
Nora Edwards.
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Anti-fraud resources:
