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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)
- "a security company " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "trunk box" (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 "dying widow" scam.
Fraud email example:
From: Morrisa Thompson <maoying@bjcw.cn>
Reply-To: <mailmorrisa1@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Wed, 19 Mar 2014 16:36:29 +0100
Subject: Do have a nice Day
Dear friend
First of all let me introduce myself to you I am Morrisa Thompson from Canada . I am married to late Peter Thompson of blessed memory. We were married for eleven Years without a child, since his death I too have been battling with both cancer and fibroid problem. Recently, my doctor told me that I would not last for few months and having known my condition I Decided to donate my late husband's funds(US$5.5Million) deposited with a security company in Nigeria because my Husband work there before he was sick and later retire so I want any person that will Utilize this money for himself/herself and also for the Orphanages, widows so that we can make this world a better place, and as soon as I receive your reply, I will also issue an Order of authority to the security company, authorizing them that the said trunk box has been willed to you and a copy of such authorization will be forwarded to you. Any delay in your reply will give room in sourcing for another person / organization for this same purpose. Until
Do have a nice Day
Morrisa Thompson
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Anti-fraud resources:
