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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:
- "foreignmatters@secretarias.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr.Emmanuel Okoye"<jessica@deepred55.co.uk>
Reply-To: foreignmatters@secretarias.com
Date: Wed, 24 Aug 2016 06:19:51 +0100
Subject: URGENT RESPOND NEEDED!!!
Attention Sir/Madam
My name is Mr.Emmanuel Okoye. I am an Auditor with a Bank here in Nigeria. I would like to use this means to ask your assistance in moving some funds over to your country.
I have in the course of my duties come in contact with some funds that have been inactive for some years now and careful investigation proved the original depositor of the funds died more than six years ago.
All attempts to reach the suppose beneficiary of the deposit were fruitless and before it is forfeited to the state, I will like to move it outside now and this is where I need your assistance.
According to laws of the land, all unattended deposit beyond seven years will be forfeited to the state, hence my contacting you.
I look forward to hearing from you and my gratitude for your patience.
These are the needed information from you:
1. YOUR ID (DRIVERS LICENSE OR COPY OF INTERNATIONAL PASSPORT)
2. YOUR FULL NAME
3. YOUR CONTACT ADDRESS
4. YOUR CELL PHONE NUMBER
5. AGE AND OCCUPATION
yours Sincerely
Mr.Emmanuel Okoye
Email: foreignmatters@secretarias.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
