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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "united state dollar" (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: "MRS.CARTHINE MOLOKWU" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <cathy@net-c.ca>
Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2016 19:00:55 +0400
Subject: Hello My Dear Friend (URGENCY)
Hello My Dear Friend,
My name is Mrs.Carthine Molokwu, I got your contact through internet directory and felt that you might be straight forward fellow and reliable to do business with in areas of investment and financial partnering, I am writing to acquaint you of a transaction and monetary transfer of Twenty Five Million United state dollar.
I need a reliable partner to have custody of this fund and we can invest on Real Estate which is at the low presently. Regarding the procedure of this transaction, I will like us to work on it mutually as partners to enable us commence with all arrangements sorted to swiftly conclude this transfer with you.
I look forward to discussing this opportunity further with you. and be free to any question which you don't understand do let me know.
Best regard.
Mrs. Carthine Molokwu
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Anti-fraud resources:
