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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:
- "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: "Sgt Johnson Brown" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <sgtjohnsonbrown@ovi.com>
Date: Fri, 20 Apr 2012 07:28:53 +1000
Subject: WAITING FOR YOUR URGENT RESPONSE RSPVVJOICJ
I am Sgt Johnson Brown, a US Marine Sgt.serving in the 1st Battalion, 6th
marine Regiment.I am presently in Afghanistan.I have summoned up courage
to contact you for an assistance to evacuate some cash (US$9.2 Million dollars)
to the States or any safe country.
SOURCE OF MONEY:
Some money in various currencies was discovered and concealed in barrels
with piles of weapons and ammunition at a location near one of the Taliban
Caves during a rescue operation and it was agreed by all party present
that the money will be shared among us.
I will provide you with more details upon the receipt of your response.
Semper Fi.
Respectfully,
Sgt Johnson Brown
United States Marine Corps.
Afghanistan
LBDHZVJODHIFINBELNDWIFKQTVPCIXYMKCIPGS
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Anti-fraud resources:
