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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)
- ",000,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "attorneys " (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +447031800873 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
Fraud email example:
From: "William & Dorothy Law Firm." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <william.peterson1ca@yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 7 Aug 2014 11:03:27 -0700
Subject: SECOND NOTICE!!
Dear Friend,
This is my second letter to you to notify you again that I need you as a partner who I have decided to list as a beneficiary to the estate of my late client with a cash deposit of $18,000,000.00 US Dollars in a private security company. I need your response to get this enlisted in the codicil and last testament of the deceased.Further details shall be availed to you in your acceptance for this pending transaction.
Thank You.
William Peterson.
(Tel: +44-703-180-0873).
William & Dorothy Law Firm.
Personal Injury and Investment Attorneys
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Anti-fraud resources:
