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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:
- "you will be entitled to 30%" (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.
- michou_011@yahoo.co.jp (Yahoo, Japan; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Bobby Nelson" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <nelsonbobby38@yahoo.es>
Date: Sat, 7 Sep 2013 15:29:07 -0700
Subject: Can I trust you?
>From Bobby Nelson,
I am contacting you to assist me in the transfer of US$6.7m(Six Million Seven Hundred Thousand United State American dollars )into your personal bank account for our benefit, this transaction is confidential and we must remain fiducially in all our dealings since I cannot execute this opportunity alone without the support of a foreigner. This is in line with the Laws governing Financial Institutions here in my Bank and that is why I have contacted you in this manner.
For your role in assisting me actualize this opportunity, you will be entitled to 30% of the total sum while 70% will be for me. However, what I need is your assistance in receiving these funds for investment establishment while I continue my education.
maximum cooperation and to provide a valid bank account where my bank will transfer this fund for our benefit. By indicating your interest on assurance of trust I will send you the full details a nd how this business will be executed and your urgent response to this proposal will be highly appreciated.
I WILL REVIEW FURTHER INFORMATION’S / DETAILS TO YOU AS SOON AS I RECEIVE YOUR POSITIVE REPLY IN MY PRIVATE EMAIL ADDRESS (michou_011@yahoo.co.jp)
Best regards.
Bobby Nelson
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Anti-fraud resources:
