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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:
- "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)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "attorneys " (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
- 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.
- barristerduyichao@yahoo.com.cn (Yahoo, China; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
- me through my china attorneys email; barristerduyichao@yahoo.com.cn compliments of the day to you! due to the sudden death of my (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "I NEED YOUR URGENT ATTENTION" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <safiamuammgaddafi@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Mon, 21 May 2012 09:08:17 +0800
Subject: I NEED YOUR URGENT ATTENTION
CONTACT ME THROUGH MY China ATTORNEYS
EMAIL; barristerduyichao@yahoo.com.cn
Compliments of the day to you!
Due to the sudden death of my husband former libyan leader Muammar Muhammad Abu Minyar al-Gaddfi. I have been thrown into a state of
hopelessness by the former and present administration. I have lost confidence with anybody within my country. I got your contacts through personal search, and had to reach you through this medium. My lawyer will give you more details when you reply. Due to security network arrangements I can not travel out for now for where i am now presently, so, this is why I have contacted you.
My husband deposited over $50.6 million dollars with security firms,
in China whose name is withheld for now till we are sure and confident of
your commitment. I will be happy if you can receive some of these funds
and keep it safe through investment for us. I assure you to keep a good percentage of this fund for yourself. I will need you to reply to me or through my lawyers.
In your reply, ensure to include your telephone numbers so
that my Attorneys in China can commence communication with you.
Please reply asap with your personal details and if any questions.
You may contact me directly here; email: safiamuammgaddafi@yahoo.co.uk
My kind regards,
Mrs. Safia Al-Gaddfi
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Anti-fraud resources:
