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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:
- "million british pounds" (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)
- "here in united kingdom" (this email uses bad English)
- 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.
- +447045709908 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
Fraud email example:
From: Frank Jim <frankjim_100@yahoo.co.uk>
Reply-To: pfrankjim@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Sun, 29 May 2011 18:13:09 +0100 (BST)
Subject: Waiting for your email
Hello,
My name is Frank Jim, a senior staff and an executive of a bank here in United Kingdom. I am writing to seek your indulgence and assistance. I wish to make a transfer involving an amount of money estimated at £20,000.000.00 (Twenty Million British Pounds Sterling) and I feel strongly that you will be capable of receiving this fund into your account in your country.
I am proposing to make this transfer to a designated bank account of your choice. I could not do this project alone since I am an insider in the bank. A zero account balance or a new account may be opened for this purpose. Thus, for your indulgence and support, I propose an offer of 25% of the total amount to be your compensation and commission after the transfer has been successfully concluded.
Kindly reply me stating your interest, and I shall furnish you with the details and the necessary procedure with which to make this transfer legitimate and effective. I am anxiously awaiting your response via my private email.Please include your telephone number in your reply for better and swift communication.The fund is free from drug and laundering related offenses and i want to donate part of the money to charity organization.
Thanks and God bless.
Regards
Frank Jim
PRIVATE EMAIL: pfrankjim1@ymail.com
MOBLIE LINE: 44-7045709908
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Anti-fraud resources:
