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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:
- "hundred thousand us 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)
- "time is not on my side" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Aamira Barkha" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <aamira@hotmail.my>
Date: Wed, 21 Sep 2011 16:55:15 -0600
Subject: Please write me back my dear is important..
Hello dear..
Although we have never met before and I have no justifiable reason to contact you this way. I do urge you to listen to me and not pass
judgement.
I am writing this mail to you with heavy tears In my eyes and great sorrow
in my heart because my Doctor told me that I might die in two months time. Based on this development I decided to let you manage my funds currently deposited
in a bank here. I seek your assistance in using the funds for the development of charities anywhere in the world that affects the life of the suffering people especially kids. You will surely be rewarded for the hard work you put in. I know this was a hard decision for me to make but looking at my condition and known facts about cancer, I don't want to hesitate about it since time is not on my side.
The total money in question is about three million five hundred thousand US dollars. I will provide you with other information's once you indicate your willingness to undertake the project.
You will not need to visit Malaysia or quit your job. You can do the project in your locality,
I look forward to hear from you. Please write me on this email address aamira@hotmail.my so that i can tell you more..
Please reply me if you are interested.
Yours sincerely.
Mrs Aamira
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Anti-fraud resources:
