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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:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million 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)
- "my names are " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "tomgray@administrativos.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
Fraud email example:
From: "Garry McGill" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <uktrade@post.com>
Date: Thu, 10 Mar 2011 11:15:48 +0200
Subject: I wait your response....
Dear Sir/Madam,
My Names are Mr. Thomas Gray, Staff of Nat West Bank UK. I would like you to indicate your interest to receive the transfer of $11.5 Million Dollars. I will like you to stand as the next of kin to my late client whose account is presently dormant for claims. Please once you are interested in my business proposal, further details of the transfer will be forwarded to you as soon as i receive your return mail. click on the blow link to confirm more details behind the death of my deceased client. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/859479.stm
Regards
Mr. Thomas Gray
Please send your Reply to my private email address.
Email: tomgray@administrativos.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
