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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- ",000,000" (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: Jason Robbertson <jasonrobbertson@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 30 Apr 2011 07:30:35 -0700
Subject: TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN
My Name is Captain Jason Robertson of the The 3rd Infantry Brigade
Combat Team in Afghanistan....... I want to ask for help to whom it
may concern, i have $5,000,000 with me here in afghan and i am looking
for a person that can help me with the money , because the money need
to be transfer to the from afghan as soon as possible...... If you
seems to help you can contact me as soon as possible
Regard
Captain John Branson
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Anti-fraud resources:
