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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:
- 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)
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "urgent assistance" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Mark Richardson <markrichardsongreat@outlook.com>
Date: Wed, 10 Dec 2014 14:57:38 +0000 (UTC)
Subject:
 Dear friend,
Greetings from Florida USA!
I am the interim Manager under political appointment in this Finance company (Sterling Finance Company) I need your urgent assistance in transferring this sum of ($7.3 million US Dollars only) to a foreign account before I step down end of January 2015.
Please would you be interested to assist me with your account to receive this fund. Take note: You will have 40% of the above mentioned sum if you agree. I look forward to receive your return mail for more details on how to execute the transfer to your account. Send me your information as follows and get back to me no matter what your position may be.
1. Your Name in full:2. Your Address:3. Your Nationality:4. Your Age:5. Your cell phone number:6. Your occupation:
Waiting for your urgent reply.
Thanks and have a great day.Mr. Mark Richardson
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Anti-fraud resources:
