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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:
- "huge amount of money" (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 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.
- aza.ikraam@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "From AZA IKRAAM " <official.desk9@official919.onmicrosoft.com>
Reply-To: <aza.ikraam@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 20 Nov 2013 12:46:32 +0530
Subject: YOUR ASSISTANT FOR INVESTMENT PROPOSAL
Greeting To You!
My name is Miss.Azeeza Ikraam a medical doctor working with
United Nation Organization currently in Syria.I got your esteemed
contact during my comprehensive research for a reliable and
trustworthy individual in your country. I will need your help to
invest in your country, I have some money I made in the president
of Syrian compound Bashar al-Assads during our search in rescue
team UN.I have kept it as secret for a little while,all i need
is someone I can trust to work and help me invest this fund. I am
ready to give you 35 percent of this fund when you must have
received it for investment proper in your country.
Please i really want you to help me invest in a profitable
business over there in your country,i will be reviewing the said
amount immediately you give me your word of confidence to go
ahead, for this is a very huge amount of money. I had in mind to
open and operate a firm in your country as soon as the money is
in your possession, i want to invest the money in a very
lucrative sector.
>From my wide consultations I was encouraged to focus in your
country because the economy is growing at a stable rate which
promotes investment growth and profitability.
If you feel we can do this together judiciously then please reply
and get back to me.
Dr Miss Azeeza Ikraam
Email: aza.ikraam@gmail.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
