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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:
- "will come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +447024063207 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Mark Garvin" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <markgarvin49@live.co.uk>
Date: Thu, 4 Oct 2012 07:46:48 -0400
Subject: Re: URGENT BUSINESS PROPOSAL
Greetings,
My sincere apologies if this letter causes any form of Irritation or embarrassment, I know that this email will come to you as a surprise because you don't know me and I don't know you. i would want to demand a high level of maturity from you while reading this letter. My name is Mr. Mark Garvin Head of Accounts Management Section Credit Suisse One Cabot Square London E14 4QJ United Kingdom. I got your reference in my search for someone who suits my proposed business relationship. I am proposing a very high profiled business transaction to you with returns very lucrative. In the pursuit of this business, it involves huge specific amount worth $16.8m. For security reasons i will not give you all the details now but will need you to assist me in executing this business project.
Everything concerning this transaction shall be legally done without hitch. Please Endeavour to observe utmost discretion in all matters concerning this issue. If you feel you can handle this project, please let me know so that i can send you attached comprehensive details of this transaction. Once again my apologies if this letter cause any form of embarrassment to your personality. Your earliest response to this letter will be appreciated you can reach me on my cell +447024063207 but if you are not interested delete this email immediately.
Regards,
Mr. Mark Garvin
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Anti-fraud resources:
