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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 us 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: Helen Estanislao <ch_lebbe2@zaz.att.ne.jp>
Reply-To: ekrobo22@yahoo.co.th
Date: Sat, 23 Nov 2013 8:06:27 +0900
Subject: From Lady Helen
Hi,
Sorry if this message came to you without prior notice. I am a Captain Helen Estanislao commanding 3rd Marine Regiment with the United States and Allied coalition Marin in Afghanistan. I have decided to quit the Marines,due the decision by our Government to withdraw our troops from Afghanistan & Iraq.
I hope you can be trusted which is why I’m reaching out to you. On the other hand I want to inform you that I have the sum of $ 8million US Dollars which I recovered during one of our raids on terrorists here in Afghanistan, possibly funds left by Islamist extremists which they made by selling of Drugs and used to buy arms to terrorize the world. I do not intend handing this money over to the Government. I wish to use this money to start a new life back with as soon as i get off this hostile desert.
This is my only opportunity of quitting the military and having a peaceful life. I can’t fight terrorists and criminals here my entire life. The money has been moved through UN Special envoy to bank in Europe where is presently deposited at vault.
I can’t wire this money to the States as troops are limited to using Army sanctioned remittance services and that will draw serious attention. I need someone I could trust and will be able to go to Bank to claim the funds.
Also I want you to know that am revealing this deal to you with belief that you will never let me down and am certain this transaction will go smoothly without any problem. I will give you the contact details of the bank legal consultant who is handling the transaction.
You will be rewarded with 30% of the total sum and 70% would be mine. We could both invest on your choice of business if it’s profitable. I hope I am being fair on this deal?
Best Regards,
Capt Helen Estanislao
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