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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:
- "transfer into your account" (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)
- "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- 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.
- mrgeorgef111@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Fr. Anthony George" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrgeorgef111@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 8 Oct 2014 22.36.33 +0200
Subject: Contact Mr. Anthony For Your Certified Draft to this Email ( mrgeorgef111@gmail.com )
Hello,
I have waited for this communication from you since last 3 weeks as a Rev.Father, i do not have time for my self. According to instruction, I was assigned to contact you for your money to be paid to you by cashier cheque or through ATM payment or wire transfer. Please I will be going to the bank to make the arrangement for the checue to be issued.However, I want to let you know that your money will be written on a cheque and it can be deliver to your address by a delivery company to your address for you to deposit it to your own bank if you wish so. But if you wish me to go and open it in the bank for direct wire transfer into your account, please let me know immediately.
I wait your urgently response to my privite Email(mrgeorgef111@gmail.com
God bless you.
Rev. George Anthony
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Anti-fraud resources:
