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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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)
- "maryam abacha" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- 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.
- maryammaryam23@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs Maryam" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <maryammaryam23@hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 19:16:51 +0100
Subject: With love and trust QDPUQGZZGB
Dear Friend,
I got your contacts through my personal research, and out of desperation I
decided to reach you through this medium.
I will give you more information as to this regard as soon as you reply.
I repose great confidence in you hence my approach to you due to security
network placed on my day to day affairs I cannot afford to visit the
embassy so that is why I decided to contact you and I hope you will not
betray my confidence in you.
I have deposited the sum of $20.3million dollar in a switch security firm
abroad whose name is withheld for now until we open communication so
please send down your phone/Fax Number.
I shall be grate full if you could receive
this funds into your account for safe keeping.
This arrangement is known to you and my son Mustapha alone, I accrue you
30% of this funds. Please honesty is the watch word in this transaction, I
will greatly appreciate if you accept my proposal in good faith.
Please expedite! action.
Sincerely yours,
Maryam Abacha
Do get back to me at this email address (maryammaryam23@hotmail.com)
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Anti-fraud resources:
