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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:
- "transfer into your account" (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)
- "million 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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Barry Hanny <odeyjohn01@gmail.com>
Reply-To: barry.hanny@yahoo.com
Date: Tue, 11 Oct 2011 01:56:53 -0700
Subject: Good Day
I am Barry Hanny an Egyptian who is working in Libya as cook with the
Minister of Petroleum for 20 years. confidential matter regarding the sum
of US$ 25M.(Twenty Five Million Dollars) deposited in Europe).
l will furnish you with all necessary information and be informed that this
asset and this proposition is free from all encumbrances and lien hence risk
free.
In view of this,you will contact the Europe for father information on how
the fund can be transfer into your account.
I will expect a straightforward answer from you indicating your interest and
ability to receive this funds within few weeks.
Much thanks in anticipations as i wait for your kind and urgent respond.
please none telephone call until i fly out of Libya to Niger and that will
be after the money has been transferred into your account.
Best regards,
Barry Hanny.
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Anti-fraud resources:
