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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.
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +447045731802 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Forster Robert Kevin" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <e1954rk@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Sun, 8 May 2011 15:55:10 -0700
Subject: From: Mr. Forster Robert Kevin
From: Mr. Forster Robert Kevin
Direct Number: 44-7045731802
Office; 44-7541624750
Tel/Fax: 44-870-9128301
Good Day My Dear Deliberated Associate.
I am in receipt of my last message which you have not acknowledged why? I wish to know if you’re in position to handle this project or not?
If you are willing to proceed let me know so, I will give you further instructions on how to proceed’ you’re require to forward all your personal information for better understanding.
I will like to have a preliminary meeting with you and you should indicate the country of your choice for this meeting so we can meet face to face and discuss further about this project.
I will oblige if urgent response will be given to this message.
Yours faithfully
Mr. Forster Robert Kevin
A Chartered Portfolio Manager (CPM) with the External Division of Capital Investment Ltd.
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Anti-fraud resources:
