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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 state 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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "can i completely trust you?" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- This email message is a orphan scam.
Fraud email example:
From: Miss Sarah Joseph <sarahdd1@sarahdd.fr>
Reply-To: sarahdd1@t-online.de
Date: Fri, 04 Oct 2013 11:05:22 +0000
Subject: From Miss Sarah Joseph
From Miss Sarah Joseph
Dear,
How are you doing today ? I hope you are fine and healthy. Dear, now
that I have confidence and trust in you, then l will be happy to request
for your assistance and also to go into business partnership with you, I
believe that you will not betrayed my trust which i am going to lay on
you.
I am Miss Sarah Joseph, 26years old and the only daughter of my late
parents MR.and MRS Paul. D. Joseph. My father was a highly reputable
business magnet-(a cocoa merchant) who operated in the capital of Ivory
Coast during his days before joining politics as I told you and It is
sad to say that he passed away mysteriously during the Rebel attacked
him because his supporting the former President Laurent Gbagbo who is
now facing judgement under United Nation custody.
Before his death my late father called me and told me that he has the
sum of Six million five hundred thousand United State Dollars.left in a
secured known bank as even he know that his going to be killed.
Your suggestions and ideas will be highly regarded. Now permit me to ask
these few questions:-
1. Can I completely trust you?
2. What percentage of the total amount in question will be good for you?
Consider this and get back to me as soon as possible.
Thank you so much.
My sincere regards,
Miss Sarah Joseph
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Anti-fraud resources:
