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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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Meas Mokhom <measmokhom@fastmail.tw>
Reply-To: Meas Mokhom <measmokhom@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 05 Jun 2015 10:50:26 -0400
Subject: WAITING TO HEAR FROM YOU SOON
Dear friend,
I am Mr. MEAS SOKHOM the personal assistant and legal adviser to the deported Russian tycoon, Sergei Polanski, who was living illegally in the Southeast Asian country after he was accused of embezzling $175 million in his homeland. You can read more about Mr. Sergei Polanski from this link below.
http://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/05/16/cambodia-deports-fugitive-russian-tycoon-sergei-polonsky-accused-embezzling-175/
I will discuss in details about myself also disclose all the legitimate information concerning the tycoon funds with the Cambodian Bank upon the reception of your swift response indicating your personal interest to help in receiving the tycoon funds for upkeep and reinvestment in your country.
Please if you’re interested and willing to partner with me on this matter get back to me on time.
Thanks as I await your response.
Warm Regards.
MEAS SOKHOM
Retired (advisor to BEC) and Chairman of AAET-C
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Anti-fraud resources:
