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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:
- "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Tina Power" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <tina.power@yandex.com>
Date: Wed, 6 Apr 2016 19:25:25 -0100
Subject: Re:Reminder Letter
Attention:
Sir,
This is to informed you that one woman who claims to be your relative
called our office this morning saying that you sent her to claim
(withdraw) your total fund (in our bank) to convert fund into 6 cheque
on your behalf, that you had a fatal accident but fortunately you
survive with a leg injury.
She said you instructed her to claim the money on your behalf. But it
will be against our business ethics if we fail to verify from you
before releasing the funds to her so if you are the one that is sent
her then do well to reply us immediately so that we will be sure you
sent her.
Finally, all you have to do now you get back to us immediately to know
what should be done. we will not sending her the cheque immediately we
confirm that you did not send her, do this urgently so that we can get
the info and then proceed to release Your fund to you.
Note: you hereby advice to this message confident to yourself, because
someone closes to you meant want to take your money on your behalf.
Thanks for your co-operation,
Tina Power
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Anti-fraud resources:
