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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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:
- "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.
- 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.
- andersonmis.carla@yahoo.com.hk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr Desmond Smith" <dsmithx2@live.com>
Reply-To: andersonmis.carla@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Sat, 5 Feb 2011 19:01:52 +0500 (YEKT)
Subject: THANKS FOR YOUR PAST EFFORT!!!!!
Hello My Good Friend:
Are you still alive? if YES reply immediately.
I have received the payment from the bank three days ago as we agreed.
Am glad to inform you that my investment here in Spain is on progress,in
nutshell we will meet together to celebrate our success.
Meanwhile, my inlaw just informed me that you have never received your
payment which I gave him to transfer to your account immediately,I was
very sad when I heard it from him.
I have instructed my Account Officer Mis.Carla Anderson
(andersonmis.carla@yahoo.com.hk) at BANCO DE SPAIN to issue the total sum
of (US$10.7million) on your name immediately through my bank Account on
BANCO DE SPAIN.
You are advised to forward your contact details and also your bank account
information where you wish to receive your fund.
Send her your information below:
1. YOUR FULL NAME:
2. YOUR TELEPHONE NUMBER:
3. YOUR POTENTIAL HOME ADDRESS WHERE YOUR FUND WILL BE DELIVER TO.
4. YOUR COUNTRY:
5. YOUR OCCUPATION:
6. YOUR INTERNATIONAL PASSPORT/ OR ANY FORM OF YOUR IDENTIFICATION, TO
IDENTITY YOU TO AVOID WRONG DELIVERY.
7. YOUR AGE.
Remain Blessed until we meet,
Mr.Desmond Smith.
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Anti-fraud resources:
