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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:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "account in your country or any safer place" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "to your nominated bank account" (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 orphan scam.
- 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.
- f4470b@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Miss Aisha Bazan <ash----767876@att.net>
Reply-To: aishbazan@hotmail.com
Date: Sun, 27 Feb 2011 15:42:40 -0800 (PST)
Subject: From Your Sister
Dear Sir/Madam.
Good day,I am Miss Aisha Bazan from Accra. I lost my Father Mr. Atat
Bazan a couple of months ago. My Father was a serving director of the
Cocoa exporting abroad until his death.
He was assassinated by the rebels following the political uprising.
Before his death he had a foreign account here in Accra Ghana, up to the
sum of ($6.5M) which he told the bank was for the importation of cocoa
processing machine.I want you to do me a favor to receive this fund to a
safe account in your country or any safer place as the beneficiary.
MOREOVER, I AM WILLING TO OFFER YOU 25% OF THE TOTAL SUM AS COMPENSATION
WHEN THE FUND IS SUCCESSFUL TRANSFER TO YOUR NOMINATED BANK ACCOUNT IN
YOUR COUNTRY.)I have plans to do investment in your country, like real
estate and industrial production.
This is my reason for writing to you. Please if you are willing to
assist me indicate your interest in replying me with my E-mail:
f4470b@hotmail.com soonest.Or you can call me through my phone
number { +233277138414 }
Thanks..
Best regards
Miss Aisha Bazan.
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Anti-fraud resources:
