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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.
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs. Ana Maria Marcondes Penido Sant’Anna" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <hhyss500@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 25 Dec 2015 08:45:24 -0800
Subject: RE: Investment Inquiry
Dear Sir/Ma,
(7 Yrs Investment Plans)
I hope this letter will not embarrass you since we have not had any previous communication before now. I got your reference from the Brazil trade department1 under private enquiry that is not related to my aim of writing you this letter and went further to have it confirmed by the Brazil Exports Promotion Commissions.
Our respectful family (Marcondes Penido's family) has hundreds of millions U.S Dollars stationed for 2016 Investment projects with you or your firm around your location.
If you have interest to share investment ideas with our family, respond for more details as our lawyers are active to finalize the Investment Arrangements within 5 working days.
Merry Xmas and Prosperous New Year.
Regards,
Mrs. Ana Maria Marcondes Penido Sant’Anna
Vice President, CCR Group Brasil.
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Anti-fraud resources:
