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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 fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
- "first national bank" (not involved with lotteries)
- 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)
- "god fearing " (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- richard0781281967@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Mr Richard Michael <dewi@nusapro.com>
Reply-To: Mr Richard Michael <michaelrichard1122@hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 10 Oct 2016 17:21:44 +0700 (WIB)
Subject: Dear Sir/Madam
Dear Sir/Madam
i am Mr Richard Michael a banker with First National Bank Of South Africa, i will be retiring by end of this year as a banker and i want to use this opportunity to create for my children life investment oversea before I retire, in my department i have been following up with some fund since last 2 years now i want to transfer this money to your account for investment, the amount involve is (Ten Million United States Dollars) this money is not anybodies money it comes as over interest in foreign investor panel. I never steal it from any body as i am a god fearing man.
if you are ready to help me receive this money in your account i will give you 30% of this fund and the balance of 70% will be for my son investment in your country. i am capable of transfer the money to your account within 3-4 bank working days without any problem. if you are capable to receive this money get back to me with the below information completely.
Full Name:
Full Address:
Telephone Number:
Fax Number:
Mobile Number:
Private Email:
Age:
Occupation:
Country Of Origin:
Sex:
Marital Status:
i guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.
thanks and god bless
Mr Richard Michael
74 sandown, linden road
Johannesburg South Africa
TEL: +27 83 724 0850
Email: richard.michael@fnbprivatebanking.org
Email: richard0781281967@gmail.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
