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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)
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Miss Tina Peter <william_tom577@yahoo.co.in>
Reply-To: tinakpeter@yahoo.fr
Date: Wed, 13 Jun 2012 23:57:54 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: Good Day! From Miss Tina ...
Hello,
My Name is Tina K. Peter. I am now in Ghana as a refugee due to the war and ethnic division crisis in my country.
Please I need your help in the management of a sum of money that my late Father left for me in fixed suspend account before his death. The money is US$8.5 Million dollars and you will also help me to get my papers to travel to your country to continue my education and the investment of my money, until I finish my education to handle the investment my self.
I am waiting for your urgent reply and I will send you a copy of my picture, so that you will know the person you are helping.
May God bless you,
Ms Tina K. Peter.
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Anti-fraud resources:
