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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.
- clarkpeterson333@yahoo.com.hk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Clark Peterson" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <clarkpeterson82@yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 8 Jul 2013 18:44:46 +0100
Subject: Very Important Proposal.
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am the private counsel of a business executive in Europe. I hope that my brief will be of interest to you. I am requesting for your participation in a business venture involving the bridging of funds for investment purposes in North America. The goal is to move funds from the existing currency trading account of my client in Europe to North America. He is unable to execute this transaction personally because of his government interests.
My client wish to re-profile the currency trading funds within his company's investment portfolio to you as a management consultant. You will then move the funds to your bank account under my instruction and re-route the funds to our agreed investment location in North America. (With your anticipated assistance, my client hope to conceal all trail of the funds) The financial crises is worsening in Europe and more returns will be made in North America. We are already talking to potential investment partners in USA and Canada. The amount available for re-profiling (pretext currency trading) will be made known to you in our further talks. I need assurances that you can handle this business between the Private bank in Europe via your bank account to North America.
This is a legal business and my client wants it done under strict confidence because of his future political plans. You will receive an attractive six digit figure reward for this business service, and provide appropriate guaranty during this business. Please reply to me at (clarkpeterson333@yahoo.com.hk) and include your telephone number and I will provide you further datails
Regards,
Yours sincerely,
ClarK Peterson.
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Anti-fraud resources:
