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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:
- "million 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 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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Parker Moore" <ccurro@cinmail.net>
Reply-To: parkermooresmailbox@rediffmail.com
Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2014 18:52:38 +0200
Subject: Hello Beneficiary,
Zenith Bank Nigeria Plc
202 Pebi Plaza Allen Avenue
Ikeja/Nigeria
Phone: +234-9020791382
Hello Beneficiary,
Did you assign a will of testament to Terrence McCauley to receive your ATM Card sum of $4.8 Million dollars on your behalf? He sent a notification to this Bank that you died in an auto crash few weeks ago and also has assigned him as the sole beneficiary to your unclaimed fund of $4.8 Million Dollars.
Get back to us immediately confirming this fact if truly you are still alive but if we did not hear from within 72rhs,we have no option than to release the ATM Card to your next of kin Terrence McCauley.
Hoping to hear from you
Mr. Parker Moore
Director of Fund
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Anti-fraud resources:
