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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 sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "million 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)
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- This email message is a "dying widow" scam.
Fraud email example:
From: Mrs Joan Duncan <qq@netintro.tk>
Reply-To: <mrsjoanduncan11@yahoo.de>
Date: Sun, 21 Feb 2016 13:47:31 +0300
Subject: FROM MRS DUNCAN!!!!!
Dear Sir/Madam
I am Mrs Joan Duncan.I am married to Late Mr Joseph Duncan.
We were married for eleven years. he died after a brief illness that lasted for only four days. Before his death we were living together in good harmony.
I have a deposit sum of (US$5M) (Five Million United States Dollars )in a bank in UK and I will need you to receive it as soon as possible.
I can not handle the transaction due to i am very sick and the doctors advise that i need to have enough rest before going for surgical operation.Please always put me in your daily prayer for my healing and God intervention.
I am sending you this message from the hospital bed where i was admitted..
As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you the contact of the bank for you to communicate with them as i have inform the bank already as i am waiting for your acceptance response to receive the money.
I am going to give you 20% of the total sum.
Waiting for your urgent reply
Thanks and remain bless
Mrs Joan Duncan
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Anti-fraud resources:
