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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:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- 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.
- major.worldss@usa.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Major World Usa <director@tmrg.ru>
Reply-To: <major.worldss@usa.com>
Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2013 18:16:10 +0000
Subject: Auction Sales; Cars for Sale!
Dear Sir/Madam
We are an american used car export company selling Japanese used cars and foreign cars. We export Japanese used cars to various countries in the world. We have extensive stocks of Japanese used cars and american cars which satisfy your needs. We guarantee Good condition, Good price, Quick service.
Right now we are giving discount prices on Toyota Land cruisers, Prado and Double Cabin Toyota Hilux pick- up
We have only 97 units in stocks and you could be lucky to get 1 unit for yourself
We are giving discount prices because it is our marketing strategy to attract more customers in Africa and in the world at large.We want you to take an advantage of this opportunity.
Sincerely yours,
Denise Herman,
Sales Team/General Manager
Address: 43-40 Northern Blvd Long island city queens Ny 11101 USA
TEL:+ 1 212 359 1616 FAX:347 750 1524
Email: major.worldss@usa.com
Website: www.majorworld.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
