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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:
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "a security company " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "god fearing " (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Tina Suleman" <tinasuleman4@rediffmail.com>
Reply-To: <tinasuleman2@rediffmail.com>
Date: Tue, 8 Nov 2011 22:17:51 +0400
Subject: I NEED YOUR HELP FROM TINA
Dear Dearest one
It is my pleasure to write you and notify you of this great opportunity.
I am Tina Suleman, daughter of the late Mr. Ali Suleman, I am in search
of a potential investor to oversee and facilitate the processing of my funds and Gold as the beneficiary or trustee for our mutual benefit.
I am willing to offer twenty five(25%) percent for facilitating while 5% percent for overseeing the boxes.The funds and gold are deposited in in a security company which I will like you to oversee as the new beneficiary.
And i also need a caring and God fearing man to spend the rest of my life with. If this request meet your consideration, do contact me through the below email:
I kindly wait on your urgent reply for our mutual benefit
Best Regards:
Tina Suleman
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Anti-fraud resources:
