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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:
- "will come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Al Suwaiti <frealoys@gmail.com>
Reply-To: asuwaite@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 1 Aug 2011 22:49:21 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: Read And reply urgently
Dear Friend,
I know this message will come to you as a surprise but is the real truth because I have suffered a lot to keep this asset belonging to the Libya Government’s as secret but due to the preasure put on me by the UN investigators, I have decided to contact you in respect of this fund so that you can come for this fund as the beneficiary which is presently in a foreign account in United States of America U.S.A. But I have tried my best for the fund to be remitted to a foreign account in Europe so I need your acceptance so that this fund can be remitted into your account.
I will also update you that I was a cook to the finance minister to the Libya president (Maummar Gaddafi) which this fund was deposited in my name in one of the banks in American which your next email will proof to me that you are ready to assist me or not.
The fund we are talking about in question is $18.588million USD which I have decided to share this fund with you.
I hereby believe that you will act to my expectation so that both of us will share this fund together before the UN will investigation this issue because I have presented your name as the beneficiary of the fund. So update me immediately you receive this message.
Send to me these following information.
1.Full name
2.Home Address
3.Direct Mobile number
4.Your Occupation
Your urgent mail or call will be highly appreciated.
Thanks
Mr lbrahim Al suwaiti.
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Anti-fraud resources:
