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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)
- "hundred thousand 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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Thomas Michael <angelina102@cantv.net>
Reply-To: thomas_theresa18@yahoo.co.jp
Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2012 08:15:35 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: From Thomas Micheal.
With Respect,
I have to resend this mail to you because I have sent it to you several times without respond. I plead that you make out time and read our email and I beg you not to misunderstand us.
I am Thomas Michael and My sister Theresa Michael, Our late parents Mr. & Mrs. David Michael left some funds (US $18.5 Million Dollars) Eighteen Million Five Hundred Thousand United State Dollars in a bank here in Abidjan Cote D'Ivoire which we wish to invest in your country. Our main concern of contacting you is for you to receive these funds in a safe account in your country or any other safer place as the beneficiary.
We have plans to do investment(s) in your country, like in real estate, industrial production (s) and or any profitable venture you deem fit.
Please if you are willing to assist me and my only sister, indicate your interest by replying to our mail.
Thanks and best Regard.Thomas Michael And Theresa Michael.
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Anti-fraud resources:
