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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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)
- "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Ablah Usman <asif_usman1@voila.fr>
Reply-To: asifbasim3@yahoo.fr
Date: Mon, 14 Oct 2013 02:42:01 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: From Mrs Ablah Usman From Syria To You
Dear friend i Mrs Ablah Usman the wife of one of the military defectors that was killed in Syria by the government force my husband left 10.2Million dollars at the united nation security valut in Syria because of the war going on now I lost my two out three sons now I need somebody I cant trust a patner some one who will not betray me that will receive this fund and take care of my only son that is left with me even if I die here in Syria, I have a diplomatic courier Service that can take the fund out of Syria,if you can be of any help do get back to me for more details
Thanks
Mrs Ablah Usman
syria
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Anti-fraud resources:
