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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:
- "million 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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Carter Perez" <m.esteban@tpf.es>
Reply-To: carter_perez@yeah.net
Date: Wed, 09 Oct 2013 07:27:06 -0700
Subject: Thank You Very Much!!
Hello
My name is Lieutenant. Carter M. Perez, I am an American soldier that served in Iraq I was part of the division that stumbled into Saddam Hussein's storage vault and discovered $890 Million dollars in cash.
I was able to divert $30 Million for my personal use and declared the rest to my superiors who diverted some as well; I have deserted the army due to an accident that has left me confined to a wheel chair; I am now searching for a reputable/sincere person for investment purposes.
I was able to divert $30 Million for my personal use and declared the rest to my superiors who diverted some as well; I have deserted the army due to an accident that has left me confined to a wheel chair; I am now searching for a reputable/sincere person for investment purposes.
Finally i enjoy transparent and confident people whom are not afraid to express themselves in a diplomatic way. I think it is very important that two people with a good business acumen and relationship should be truthful and transparent to each other. I believe that this should be discussed and communicated clearly in our next message.
I wait to read from you on your interest.
Sincerely,
Carter M. Perez
MORE DETAILS:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/iraq/1428506/Troops-tempted-by-Saddams-780m-hoard.html
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Anti-fraud resources:
