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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:
- "huge sum of money" (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.
- 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.
- george-wanga@hotmail.com (Hotmail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Hon J Sam" <honjanny01@live.com>
Reply-To: otp.bank.plc@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 10 Jun 2011 01:09:57 -0400
Subject: From Mr George Wanga
>From :Mr George Wanga
Auditing / Accounting Director
OTP Bank Plc
Republic Of Benin
West Africa
I am contacting you in regards to a business transfer of a huge sum of money
from a deceased account. Though I know that a transaction of this
magnitude will make anyone apprehensive and worried, but I am assuring you
that all will be well at the end of the day.I decided to contact you due to
the urgency of this transaction.
BUSINESS STATUS
I discovered an abundant sum of (US5.5 Million) in an account that belongs to
one of our foreign customers MR ANDREAS SCHRANNER who died along
with his entire family in plane crash web site
:http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/859479.stm
Since his death, none of his next-of-kin or relations has come forward to lay
claims to this money as the heir. I cannot release the fund from his account
unless someone applies for claim as the next-of-kin to the deceased as
indicated in our banking guidelines.
Upon this discovery, I now seek your permission to have you stand as a next of
kin to the deceased as all documentations will be carefully worked out
by me for the funds (US5.5 Million) U.S dollars to be released in your favour
as the beneficiary's next of kin. It may interest you to note that I have
secured from the probate an order of madamus to locate any of deceased
beneficiaries.
Please acknowledge receipt of this message in acceptance of my mutual business
endeavour by furnishing me with the following;
1. Your full Names....
2. Your country...
3. Cell phone number and Fax........
These requirements will enable me file a letter of claim to the appropriate
departments for necessary approvals in your favour before the transfer can
be made.I shall be compensating you with 40% on final conclusion of this
project,while the rest 60% shall be for me.
Your share stays with you while the rest shall be for me for investment
purposes in your country. If this proposal is acceptable by you, do not take
undue advantage of the trust I have bestowed in you, I await your urgent email.
My Best Regards
Mr.George Wanga.
george-wanga@hotmail.com
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