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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:
- ",000,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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 mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +447011137217 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
Fraud email example:
From: <5089778@centeropenproject.onmicrosoft.com>
Reply-To: <openup_center22@mail.mn>
Date: Wed, 6 Nov 2013 11:51:25 +0100
Subject: hello
I am Dr. Gisborne, for Richard Branson Investment. I am a loan agent who is currently offering 3% Business and Personal loan to everyone.
Kindly reply to this email ASAP with your details Ranging from $3,000.00 to $100,000,000.00 if interested so that i can send you the loan terms and condition.
Fill And Return...
Name:
Country:
Mobile number:
Amount needed as loan:
Loan duration:
Regards...
Application Officer
Gisborne Snowden
FOR........
Richard Branson Investment Company
82-83 Chester Square London SW1W 9HJ,
Tel: +44-701 -113-7217
Fax: +44-705-349-1618
N.B:When calling you dial your country calling code which I think is 011 and my number (+44-701 -113-7217). That is (011- 44-701 -113-7217). You can also confirm the code from your service provider.
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Anti-fraud resources:
