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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)
- "there is no risk involved" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
Fraud email example:
From: donsimeon <thiuyncdf85555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555@libero.it>
Reply-To: don.simon53@yahoo.com
Date: Fri, 24 Jan 2014 17:05:21 +0100 (CET)
Subject: Good day to you and greetings of the week.
Good day to you and greetings of the week.
I am a lawyer In Senegal,I have a business transaction for you. a client of
mine who died along with his entire family in plane crash. left the sum of
$10.7 Million in a bank and I am not aware until the bank contacted me
recently.
The bank has contacted me and I want to present you as his next of kin. There
is no risk involved as I will provide every document to back up the
Transactions.
If you accept i would give you the guide lines of how we can achieve this
transfer of this fund (10.7 Million Dollars) to your account.and we will share
the money 60-40%.
Get back to me if you are capable of handling this transaction and assist me.
My Regards to you and your family
Mr. Don Simon (Esq)
Solicitor & Advocate
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Anti-fraud resources:
