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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)
- "please indicate your interest" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr.Rabiu Usman" <mackosta.0013@gmail.com>
Reply-To: rabiuu622@gmail.com
Date: Sun, 23 Mar 2014 06:30:30 +0800 (SGT)
Subject:
Dear Friend.
I am Mr.Rabiu Usman, I want you to assist me in this bussiness which worth $4.6million, The money is left behind by one of our forign contractor who base in our country before. He died since 2010, and the money has been appoved for payment without any claim. So i will give you all the informations to apply as his bussiness partner and next of kin.I will supply you with all the informations to back up your claim. You will be entitle to %50 of the money,for providing and handling the transaction. Please Indicate your interest by sending me your names and address Then i will draft a letter for you myself, to apply to the Federal contract board office. I will direct you untill the money is transferd into your account. Thanks and Best regards.
Mr.Rabiu Usman.
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Anti-fraud resources:
