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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "fund beneficiary" (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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Edmond MacDonell <mr.macd_n1l@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Sat, 10 Aug 2013 04:29:46 -1200
Subject: Expecting your urgent response
Dear Friend,
I am Mr. Edmond MacDonell, i work with NatWest Bank Corporation, London. I
wish to bring to your attention a proposal i believe would be of interest
to you and immense benefit to both of us. This is worth
US$12,590,000.00(Twelve million Five Hundred and ninety Thousand United
States dollars) available to be released to you as the fund beneficiary and
next of kin following the death of our customer who is the account owner. I
will be obliged to intimate you fully about this transaction on receipt of
your response.
Regards
Mr. Edmond MacDonell
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Anti-fraud resources:
