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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 united state 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)
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: test <mario@federalreserve.org>
Reply-To: hmtreasury617@yahoo.co.jp
Date: Mon, 18 Jun 2012 17:03:12 +0800
Subject: UNITED NATIONS COMPENSATION UNIT.
ATTN,SIR.
We received a mandatory letter, from the United Nations secretary general {NEW YORK} to credit the sum of Two Million United State Dollars to you for compensation as a Scam Victim. You are advised to respond to us with the following information:
1. Full name:.................................
2. Your Current address:......................
3. Phone.......................Mobile:........
4. Your Age:.......Your Sex:.......... Your current occupation.............,
5. And your identification either inter/ passport or driver license.
You are advice to contact MR MARIO PARATORE Federal Reserve Chairman urgently
CONGRATULATION IN ADVANCE.
Thanks and God bless you.
Regards,
MR MARIO PARATORE
Federal Reserve Chairman
3 Whitehall Court
London SW1A 2EL,
United Kingdom
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Anti-fraud resources:
