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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:
- "god fearing " (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
- 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.
- ian.atkin@rediffmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr.Ian Atkin" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <ian.atkin@rediffmail.com>
Date: Mon, 1 Oct 2012 21:07:12 -0500
Subject: Kindly Assist
Attn:President/Ceo
I am Mr. Ian Atkin currently undergoing medical treatment at the Northern Centre For Cancer Care,United Kingdom. My wife died in a car accident over a year ago and we were married without a child. When my late wife was alive she deposited the sum of $6 Million in a private bank.
I want a God fearing individual to manager this fund and provide succor to poor in society. I am willing to give you 20% for your time. Please contact me only through my private email address below and let me know if you can be of help.
Email: ian.atkin@rediffmail.com
Best Regards,
Mr. Ian Atkin
Phone:+44-7902796233
BCMCHQCNGPUYJBTZZQQIGLUKSRBSEYBGYORFQN
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Anti-fraud resources:
