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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- cooper_4225@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: OFFER FROM MY COOPER <cooper_4225t@yahoo.co.jp>
Reply-To: cooper_4225@yahoo.com
Date: Thu, 26 Jun 2014 17:48:31 +0200 (CEST)
Subject: INTERESTING.
My Name is Mr. Cooper Albert of BTCI BANK(assistant)Manager.
I want to inquire from you if you can handle this transaction for our mutual benefits/life opportunity for you and me.The transaction is all about seeking your consent to be presented as a next of kin/beneficiary to one of our late customer over his fund US$18.3Million dollars.He mysteriously died with his family few years ago and you are having similar last names.I am very serious and no joke.
All relating documents will be put in place to reflect you as his next of kin. Completion of this transaction, you will have 30% and 10% for any outstanding expenses,while 60% for me.
Reply only if only you are interested with the assurance and your personal details like:- 1) Your Age 2) Your full addresses 3) Your direct telephone number and mobile and finally your private email address(s) for more details about this deal.
NOTE: THIS TRANSACTION IS STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL. Thanks for your understanding in advance and always reply via this email cooper_4225@yahoo.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
