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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)
- "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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Dr.Mark Grant" <dkk.ddkk@yahoo.pt>
Reply-To: "Dr.Mark Grant" <dr_mark_grant@yahoo.pt>
Date: Tue, 13 Jan 2015 06:12:22 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: Please kindly reply Asap.
Dear Friend,
Â
I am working with one of the prime bank here in (EUROPE). Can you help me repatriate the sum of (US$25 Million Dollars) to your oversea Account Based on percentage.These fund in question have been abandoned in this bank for so many years since 27th of March 2000. As the accounting officer to this deposit, the management of the bank has mandated me for the past ( 8) months to inform the depositor or his next of kin to come for the claim of his deposit because it has over stayed in the vault of the bank and due for withdrawal. The depositor of the fund MR.JOHN SHUMEJDA is dead.
He died on Friday, 4 January, 2002, 22:47 GMT when a private jet crashed during take-off from Birmingham Airport (UK). Mr.John Shumejda has no heir/next of kin in his deposit form/confidential file in the bank.Therefore i want to front you as the next of kin so that the fund released to you for both of us to share.
Browse this website for verification:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/1742404.stm
Note that this deal is real and not scam and also there's no risk attached to these project and both of us are going to benefit from it and smile at the successful end by the grace of God Almighty our creator.
Â
(1) Can you handle this project?
(2) Can I give you this trust?
(3) What will be your commission?
I expect your urgent response if you can handle this project.
Â
Please kindly reply Asap.
Best Regard's,
Dr.Mark Grant
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Anti-fraud resources:
