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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:
- "huge sum of money" (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)
- "await your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: petershunmmm@gmail.com
Reply-To: petershunm@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 18 Dec 2015 03:31:57 +0100
Subject: URGENT! URGENT!! URGENT!!!
My name is Peter Shun, I worked as a branch manager in one of the notable bank in Malaysia. I am writing to acquaint you of a transaction and monetary transfer of a huge sum of money in my bank. This huge sum has been kept in my bank for five years without anyone coming for it. From my investigation, the owner of the account dies without informing any of his family about the fund. If no one claims the money before December 31 then the government of Malaysia will take custody of the money.
I would like you to stand as a beneficiary to this huge sum of money. More importantly, I need you be truthful and sincere in this deal. The whole paperwork will be done by me while the whole deal can be concluded within a week. The money will be transfer to any account of your choice.
No financial obligations will be needed of you as long as trust and mutual goals applies. You will not spend a dime to me as i already have all arrangement sorted to swiftly conclude this transfer with you. We shall discuss the sharing formula after the whole deal is completed.
I will require this information from you: full name, telephone number, occupation, age.
I await your urgent response
Peter Shun
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Anti-fraud resources:
