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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:
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "top secret" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr.Dave Johnson" <sssssssss@ddd.net>
Reply-To: mrdavejohnson27@gmail.com
Date: Sat, 30 Jul 2016 09:03:41 +0600
Subject: YOUR FULL ATTENTION IS NEEDED PLEASE
Hello
My name is Mr.Dave Johnson i work in the bank. I get your contact from
internet search i hope that you will not betray this trust and confident
that am about to repose in you for the benefit of our both families i am
in need of your help as a foreigner to transfer sum of $10.750 million U.S
dollars (Ten million Seven Hundred and fifty U.S dollars) into your
account risk is completely %100 free. Please I will like you to keep this
proposal as top secret and Also note that you will have 35% of the above
mentioned fund, while 65% will be for me if you agree to transact this
business with me I will give you full details of this transaction
immediately you notify me your interest by sending your data.
Your Full Name.................
Your Country...................
Your Age.......................
Your Occupation.................
Phone Number....................
Office Address..................
Copy of your passport...........
or ID card......................
Please assist me to Invest in Lucrative Business in your country NOTE: As
you finished reading this letter send mail to me immediately if you are
Interested. Best Regards Mr.Dave Johnson
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Anti-fraud resources:
