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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:
- "hundred thousand united state 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)
- "very confidential" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
- 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.
- henryjohnson203@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Henry Johnson" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <henryjohnson203@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 11:52:05 -0400
Subject: Re:
Hello,
I am Henry Johnson, a real Estate Lawyer. The issue I am presenting to
you is a case of my late client,who had Sixty Eight Million Eight
Hundred Thousand United State Dollars($68.8M)and I wish to intimate you
with this request that would be of immense benefit to you and me
This issue is that my client died in the One-Two-Go Orient-Thai Airlines
flight, it was most unfortunate that he died with his next-of-kin the
same day and I cannot claim this funds with out your assistance as I
will have to present you as the next-of-kin with the necessary documents
that will bear your name.
If you are interested send down your personal details for me to proceed
but you are advised to keep everything regarding to this business very
confidential.
I am waiting for your reply so that we will start immediately on how the
funds will move to you in your country through the bank or through UN
envoy means.
Regards,
Henry Johnson.
Email: henryjohnson203@gmail.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
