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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:
- "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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- 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.
- assi.sandra5@uymail.com (Uymail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Sandra Assi <assi.sandra05@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: Sandra Assi <sandra.fredrick@dbzmail.com>
Date: Thu, 21 Jan 2016 23:15:15 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: From Sandra
 From Sandra
Hello dear
My name is Sandra Assi from Cote d'Ivoire. I am 22 years old girl orphan as a result of i have no parents. I inherited (USD $ 6.500,000.00) Six Million five hundred thousand United States dollars from my deceased father.
The fund is deposited in fixed / suspense account in one of the prime bank in Abidjan Cote d'Ivoire, my father used my name as his only daughter and only child for the next of kin. I need an honest individual or organisation who will help me receive the funds for investments abroad.
Once you signify your interest to work with me, I will give you the necessary information and details on how to proceed, I'll give you 20% of the money for your assistance
May God bless you for your prompt attention. My best regards to you and your family as you contact me directly in ( assi.sandra5@uymail.com ) for more information
I need your help
Thank you
Sandra
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Anti-fraud resources:
