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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:
- "million united states 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.
- 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.
- soniaibrahimm002@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Sonia Ibrahim <joelsveloso@oi.com.br>
Reply-To: soniaibrahimm002@yahoo.com
Date: Sat, 20 Jun 2015 16:44:29 +0200
Subject: I HAVE FAITH IN YOU
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Dearest
I am Mrs. Sonia;I am a widow I was born in 1960. Am from United
Kingdom, but I live in Republic Of Dubai United Arab Emirate. Please
accept my apologies for the inconvenience. I am suffering from lungs
cancer for 8 months now; I have a lot of pain which can lead to death
Please disregard flyers from this name
My doctor just told me that my days are numbered and my health is
deteriorating.I have an Amounts valued at $1Million USD(One Million
United States Dollars). so you can use to help the poor and orphan.
I'd like you to send the following information: 1 - Your full name and
your Address. 2- Your phone number. Finally i will send all necessary
documents concerning the funds in the bank; all I want is your good
faith. Especially the proper use of these funds. Thanks you I will be
waiting for reply I am between life and death.
God bless. Please reply to My private email address: soniaibrahimm002@yahoo.com
Mrs. Sonia Ibrahim
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Anti-fraud resources:
