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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)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs. Ishtar Kalif" <info@kalifseafood.com>
Reply-To: barrhengsamnang@qq.com
Date: Fri, 08 Aug 2014 03:06:26 +0200
Subject: Please accept my offer for charity plans.
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Dear Friend,
I know this email will surprise you. Please accept my offer for
charity plans. My name is Mrs. Ishtar Kalif. I am a rich Syrian woman
of 66 years. I was married to the director of (KALIF SEAFOOD LTD)
located in China and Cambodia. I am seriously suffering from the
poisonous Gas attack that affected us in Damascus last year. My entire
families died by that attack. My condition is hopeless to survive.
I am using my doctor's android phone to send you this email. I want
you to take over my funds in Cambodia for charity plans and
humanitarian aid for Syrian refugees, motherless, less privileged, the
widows and also in your country. I pray Allah to help us. I will offer
you 12% from the total funds for your commitment. My lawyer in
Cambodia will direct and arrange the release of the funds to you.
Presently I can't reply you. My lawyer contact is stated below
Barrister. Heng Samnang
E-mail: barrhengsamnang@qq.com
TEL- +855-9786-96133
Sent from Google Mail on Android
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Anti-fraud resources:
