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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:
- ",500,000" (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: "Steven Weiss" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <s.weiss2010@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Wed, 29 Dec 2010 08:57:50 +0100
Subject: [***** SPAM 7.7 *****] Expecting you mail back.
I am Steven Weiss.I am contacting you in regards to a transaction that will be of benefit to you and me.This transaction is meant to be dealt with in high confidentiality and seriousness because it inviolves a large sum of money.
Your family name is what i searched for and that is the main reason i send this message.I wish we would deal with this together in trust till the successful completion of this deal.I cannot give you details in full regarding the transaction unless i get a response back from you with your complete name,telephone number and age.This will enable me to confirm if my message has reached its intended recipient.If you wish do this with me,get back to me via email because it is the only possible means of communication for me at the moment.
On receipt of your response,i will brief you with the complete details regarding this deal.Note that this deal is worth US$4,500,000.
Waiting to hear from you soon.
Steven Weiss.
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Anti-fraud resources:
