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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:
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- 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.
- stefankrause30@yahoo.com.sg (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Stefan Krause" <stefankrause93@yahoo.com.sg>
Reply-To: stefankrause67@yahoo.com.sg
Date: Tue, 08 Oct 2013 17:46:29 -0400
Subject: URGENT (CONFIDENTIAL)1
>From The Desk of Stefan Krause
Email: stefankrause30@yahoo.com.sg
Hello
Greetings, I am Stefan Krause, I got your contact email from an online
directory with my license key; I have decided to write you through my
private mail box for my personal reasons .
I would need your assistance in re-profiling funds belonging to my late
client who shares same surname with you.... Contact me for more detailed
information and confirm your last name to me once again. It requires your
urgent attention and I would like to meet with you personally, for about
an hour or so, to set up a meeting for this at your convenience. It is
advisable for you to reply my message today for me to know if I should
continue with my search....
Should you be interested and find yourself able to work with me,kindly
contact me through this email account stefankrause30@yahoo.com.sg
Your prompt response will be highly appreciated.
Best Regards,
Stefan Krause.
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Anti-fraud resources:
