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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 united state 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)
- "waiting for your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "MR. NELSON EMMANUEL" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <nelson_emma@hotmail.com>
Date: Sat, 4 Jun 2011 13:33:39 -0700
Subject: ATTN:MOST URGENT
ATTN:MOST URGENT
My name is Mr.NELSON EMMANUEL I am FBI FOREIGN AGENT here in Nigeria i discover your funds the sum of $8.5 Million United State Dollars.
All I need from you now is to provide me your home address and telephone number and also let me know how you need your funds, Choose you chioce below and let me know how you need it Okay.
( 1 ) ATM
( 2 ) cash
( 3 ) check
NOTE: That you will have to pay for any one you select and i will tell you how much it cost for our company to deliver your Fund to you with out any delay. If you know you are not ready to pay for any fee please dont reply to this Email Okay.
For more details you can reach me on my mobile number Okay.
Waiting for your urgent response.
Regards.
Mr.NELSON EMMANUEL.
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Anti-fraud resources:
