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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:
- "hundred thousand united states 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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "amelina.atlants@ymail.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Final Clearing <mrs.rosejohnson@superposta.com>
Reply-To: deanJamesdee@yahoo.dk
Date: Mon, 1 Jul 2013 18:37:56 +0200
Subject: I need to hear from you
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN!!!
We want to start by sending our condolence message based on the report we got
from one GREGORY WARNER who confirmed that you are dead as we have
been waiting
to hear from you on the release of your approved payment of Five Million One
Hundred Thousand United States Dollars (US$5,100,000.00). This committee have
been working underground to ensure that the payment is released as mandated by
the EUROPEAN UNION / WORLD BANK and we are doing everything possible to ensure
that the accrued interest is release accordingly although, GREGORY WARNER has
not provided his adequate information in respect to death certification.
This committee need an urgent response in confirming GREGORY WARNER as
the next
of kin so as to enable this committee forward all documentation to the
BANK FOR
INTERNATIONAL SETTLEMENT for immediate release of the above accrued interest.
Kindly get back to this office as soon as possible through electronic media
(E-mail) confirming GREGORY WARNER as the next of kin for immediate
instructions
on the release of the said funds as we have a mandate given to us. email :
amelina.atlants@ymail.com
Yours sincerely
Mrs. Monica Di-Laissea
Head of Logistics
European Union
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Anti-fraud resources:
