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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.
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr.John Edward" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <outbondmassage@libero.it>
Date: Thu, 17 Apr 2014 16:46:04 +0100
Subject: Business Partnership Request
Attn: Honorable
I am Mr.John Edward, I work with Fidelity Investment here in London UK, it has been on the news that the late Mummer Gaddafi deposited the sum of $USD 1 Billion USD with security companies and bank in South Africa, you can see this site for confirmation. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-22745618.
But the good news here is that the Libyan official are not aware that he also deposited $60 Million USD with us without any beneficiary here in London UK and that is why I am contacting you so that I can present and use your good name as the next of Kin to move out the deposit before the government will find out that our company has his deposit.
There is no risk involve, we shall arrange for all the legal documents and use your name for the Change of Ownership.
If you agree please send your details as stated below:
1. Full Name
2. Address
3. ID Passport
4. Direct Cell phone
As soon as I receive your email I shall send you the original deposit certificate and we shall proceed with the Change of Ownership in your name.
I suggest that we share 50-50 at the successful conclusion of the deal.
I am waiting to hear from you.
Kind Regard.
Mr.John Edward
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Anti-fraud resources:
