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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:
- "million british pounds" (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.
- 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.
- successzza11@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "kevinhopkins2013@libero.it" <kevinhopkins2013@libero.it>
Date: Sat, 24 Aug 2013 21:44:22 +0200 (CEST)
Subject:
Attention:
My Name is Kevin Hopkins, an Investment Consultant, I work with a Prime Bank
here in London, England. I want to inquire if you can handle this transaction
for mutual benefits/life opportunity for you and me. The transaction is about
seeking your consent to present you as the next of kin/beneficiary To our late
customer over his fund GBP £52 Million British Pounds Sterling. Who died with
his family during their vacation journey. I am waiting for your response for
more details. The fund is going to be share at the ratio of 50/50.Contact me
through my private email (successzza11@gmail.com)
Sincerely,
Kevin Hopkins.
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Anti-fraud resources:
