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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 sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
- "my names are " (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: Kiyohiro Mitsui <m.kiyohiro1974@yahoo.com.hk>
Reply-To: mitsui.kiyohiro@outlook.com
Date: Tue, 05 Aug 2014 08:06:51 +0000
Subject: Request for Partnership
Dear Sir/Madam
I am aware of the unsafe nature of the internet but due to the
prevailing circumstances I don’t have any other option than to
communicate you through this medium. My names are Kiyohiro Mitsui, a
Japan citizen, the officer in charge of procurement management section
of United Nations. I need you to understand that I am a man of my
words with a family name to protect but in dear need of your
corporation and partnership in completing a multi-million dollar
transaction.
The transaction is 100% risk free, financially profitable and
economically viable. You will be entitled to 35% of the total proceeds
of the transaction and am open for negotiations and detailed
clarifications. All arrangements will be made under a legitimate
framework. Full details will be disclosed to you on your expression of
interest.
I look forward to doing good business with you.
Best Regards,
Kiyohiro Mitsui
OIC- United Nations
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Anti-fraud resources:
