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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 friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- This email message is a "dying widow" 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.
- mrs.sandram@yahoo.com.hk (Yahoo, Hong Kong; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs. Sandra Martin" <office------bks2@sbcglobal.net>
Reply-To: <mrs.sandram@ciudad.com.ar>
Date: Sat, 23 Apr 2011 21:11:55 -0800
Subject: Greetings From Mrs. Sandra Martin
Dear Friend,
I am Mrs. Sandra Martin from Hong Kong, When my late Husband was alive he deposited the sum of $5 Million (USD) dollars in a Bank in Hong Kong.
I have been diagnosed with esophageal cancer, My Doctor told me that I would not last for the next Four months due to the cancer problem. From all indications the cancer has gotten to a very dangerous stage.
Having known my condition I decided to donate this fund to good person that will utilize this money the way I am going to instruct herein. I want to you to use at least 70% of this fund for orphanages, widows and and also disabled home and displaced men and women all around the globe more especially in Darfur and take the remaining 30% to take good care of yourself and your family for your kind efforts.
Assure me that you will act accordingly as I Stated herein. Hoping to receive your response immediately.
I shall await your response at ( mrs.sandram@yahoo.com.hk )
Thanks and Remain blessed .
Yours Sincerely,
Mrs. Sandra Martin
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Anti-fraud resources:
