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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "hundred thousand 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)
- "united state of america" (this email uses bad English)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: SENATOR JOHN FORBES KERRY FORBES KERRY <j.fkerry2013@outlook.com>
Date: Wed, 13 Jan 2016 09:17:33 +0100
Subject: TO: BENEFICIARY.
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY TO THE UNITED STATES
SENATOR JOHN FORBES KERRY
US DIPLOMATIC MISSION ON
FOREIGN PAYMENT.
TO: BENEFICIARY.
YOUR SEIZED FUNDS OF ELEVEN MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS HAS BEEN RELEASED AND READY FOR TRANSFER TO YOU.
URGENTLY PROVIDE YOUR PERSONAL DETAILS AND RECEIVING BANK ACCOUNT DETAILS INCLUDING A COPY OF YOUR INTERNATIONAL PASSPORT.
FULL NAME:
ADDRESS:
MOBILE PHONE NO:
OCCUPATION:
INTERNATIONAL PASSPORT OR DRIVER'S LICENSE
BANK DETAILS
BANK NAME:
ADDRESS:
SWIFT CODE:
ACCOUNT NO:
BENEFICIARY NAME:
IMMEDIATELY I RECEIVE THESE DETAILS I SHALL PROCESS YOUR PAYMENT TO YOUR ACCOUNT WITHIN 3DAYS.
YOURS FAITHFULLY,
JOHN F. KERRY
SECRETARY TO STATE
UNITED STATE OF AMERICA.
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Anti-fraud resources:
