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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:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "million us 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: "Mr.Beijing Zhu" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <zuliuhu75@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Sun, 1 Jul 2012 23:12:18 +0200
Subject: Management Placement!!!
Dear Sir/Madam,
This is a Management Placement on behalf of Mr. Peter Leslie Ambrosy.
Mr. Peter Leslie Ambrosy is looking for an experienced business person/company that can profitably invest monies in excess of Thirty Million US Dollars on behalf of his Company.
The Investment Funds are presently in a holding account in Hang Seng Bank of China.
Most importantly, you will be required to:
[1]. Act as the Original Beneficiary of the Invested Funds.
[2]. Receive the Funds into a Business Bank Account.
[3]. Invest/Manage the Funds for a Duration of 5Years.
Mr. Peter Leslie Ambrosy is willing to pay 10% for your company's participation as the beneficiary partner to the funds. Also, a subsequent 10% "Management Commission" will be paid for your advised investment services.
If you prefer to be re-contacted for more express information, please send us your:
[1] Full Names:
[2] Business Address:
[3] Direct Tel/Fax Details:
Be advised to visit the following links to be better acquainted with Mr. Peter Leslie Ambrosy?s current profile and personality.
http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/jail-for-attack-on-ato-revenue/2008/02/22/1203467387111.html
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/02/22/2 169923.htm
http://www.fido.gov.au/asic/asic.nsf/byheadline/02/50+Former+Melbourne+solicitor+found+guilty+?OpenDocument&Click=
Note:Please ensure that all initial correspondence should be conducted via Email.
We expect your immediate correspondence and our response will be swift.
Respectfully,
Mr.Cheung Piu.
Hang Seng Financial Services.
DES VOEUX RD.
CENTRAL HONG KONG,
HONG KONG.
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Anti-fraud resources:
