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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)
- "please indicate your interest" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "my names are " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "dormant account" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
Fraud email example:
From: "Antonio Alberto Esteban" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <antsteban@aim.com>
Date: Fri, 6 Feb 2015 22:57:18 +0100
Subject: Proposition
Dear Friend,
My names are Antonio Alberto Esteban (Abogado). I am contacting you in respect of a dormant account belonging to my late client who shares the same surname with you.
I got an ultimatum from the Bank to provide the next of kin or a member of the family, or else the funds will be reverted back to the state, after all efforts have proven unavailing.
I want to present you as a family member to enable you put a claim to the funds. Title documents will be issued in your name to enable you make claim to the funds.
Please indicate your interest for more information.
I await your response.
Your faithfully,
Antonio Alberto Esteban (Abogado De Justicia)
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Anti-fraud resources:
