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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.
Fraud email example:
From: Murtala Nyako <murtalanyanko@Safe-mail.net>
Reply-To: murtala.nyanko@yahoo.com
Date: Fri, 22 Aug 2014 13:30:22 +0100
Subject: YOUR URGENT RESPONSE
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Hello My Dear Friend,
My name is murtala Nyako the removed governor of Adamawa state north
east Nigeria. I have left Nigeria and currently in hiding somewhere in
Germany,there is an issue we must talk about if you get back to me,very
critical and we must urgently meet physically to see if we can deal.
It's certainly not internet discussions please.
Anyway, it is most unfortunate that I am reaching you through this
internet me based on how Nigerians are generally perceived to committing
a lot of internet fraud. Please be reminded of the fact that this is way
beyond that as fraudsters do not use their real identity.
You can peruse me before getting back.
Please I appeal you leave it confidential at this stage.
Regards,
Murtala Nyako
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Anti-fraud resources:
