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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)
- 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.
- ahmedalmazeedi@aol.com (AOL; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Ahmed Almazeedi" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <ahmedalmazeedi@aol.com>
Date: Fri, 4 Jul 2014 08:20:35 +0200
Subject: Can You Represent My Interest?
Dear Friend,
My name is Mr. Ahmed Almazeedi chief security officer to the formal Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak who is presently serving his three-year jail sentence on corruption charges against him. I am presently seeking political asylum in Europe.
I therefore contact you to assist me in clearing and channeling $12.5 Million U.S Dollars belonging to me that has been in the trust and custody of a private security company in Europe into a productive portfolio or investment instead of war. I am looking forward to make this investment discreetly under discretionary asset management arrangement.
I have contacted you on the consideration that you will assist me and work out the possibility of clearing and placing this fund for management either in your existing portfolio or other venture to be undertaken at your discretion under terms and conditions to be agreed upon.
Upon your acceptance, I shall furnish you with details contact of the Security Company and modus operandi of the fund after a comprehensive and adequate response with your investment portfolio and recommendations.
Thank you for your understanding.
Sincerely Yours,
Mr. Ahmed Almazeedi
Email: ahmedalmazeedi@aol.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
