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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "trunk box" (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)
- "trunk boxes" (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.
- kofimaxwell01@hotmail.com (Hotmail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Kofi Maxwell" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <kofimaxwell1@hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 14 Jun 2011 20:22:08 -0600
Subject: Attn:Complement And Have a Great Day
Dear Friend,
I wish to use this medium to honestly solicit for your help. My name are Mr. Kofi Maxwell from Cote d'ivoire .I am the personal assistant to the wife of Mr. President GBAGBO, of Cote d’ IVoire
Please I need your help in Keeping and securing two trunks boxes on behalf of my Madam. The two truck boxes is been deposited in a Private Security Company for safe keeping before the Unrest, Which the opposition in my country is now the President.
I am the only close person allowed to visit Madam and during my visit yesterday she handed over to me vital documents that she use in depositing two trucks in Private Security Company for safe keeping and right now what she want is a reliable person or company that can safe guide this fund for her. Because seen the situation in the country she and her husband is likely to be tried in the world court for genocide.
Now the recognized President by the European Union is now in power and most of GBAGBO asset is now frozen and no one can ascertain tomorrow. My madam sent for me as her confidant and handed me every necessary documents concerning the deposit.
The two trunk boxes contain total amount $20.4M US Dollars and her Jewelries. What we are to do is to change the deposit document in your name for easy collection.
Please Contact me urgently through this email: (kofimaxwell01@hotmail.com for more information.
Best Regards.
Mr. Kofi Maxwell
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