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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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)
- "million us dollars" (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)
- 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.
- mrs.elizabethw@yahoo.ca (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Mrs Elizabeth Wilson <kraft_timo@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: Mrs Elizabeth Wilson <mrs.elizabethw@yahoo.ca>
Date: Sat, 23 Aug 2014 03:07:46 -0700
Subject: From Mrs. Elizabeth Wilson,
Greeting My Dear Friend,
 My name is Mrs. Elizabeth Wilson, from Texas USA. I lived in Africa for
many years and now currently hospitalized in a private hospital here in Benin republic in Africa as a result of brain cancer.
My purpose of writing you is because I was led by the spirit of God to offer you the money that I have in my private account in Africa now that is clear that I’m approaching the last days of my life.
I’m 66 year old and may not even need the money again for any thing. I’m offering you the sum of $8.5 million us dollars as a donation for the work of God and charity.May the good Lord bless you for the work you are doing already and may he give you wisdom to continue it.
I will reveal further information / details to you as soon as I receive your positive reply in my private email address (mrs.elizabethw@yahoo.ca) Have a nice day and God be with you.
Regards,
Mrs. Elizabeth Wilson,
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Anti-fraud resources:
