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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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 friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million pounds" (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)
- ",500,000" (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)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
- 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.
- dr.mckenzierory_uk@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Dr.Mckenzie Rory" <Dr.mckenzierory_uk@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: mckror22@gmail.com
Date: Sun, 15 Jan 2017 19:14:33 +0100
Subject: From Dr.Mckenzie Rory
Dear friend,
I have an opportunity now in my bank that will benefit both of us. £18,500,000 million pounds sterling was abandoned by my deceased customer late Mr.Ronald Bramlage, a businessman who died in a plane crash with his entire family. I will use my position as the head of the bank to give your necessary information/documents if you work with me so that we will get and share the money 55/45. We will finish it and get the money in your bank account within 8 working days. Send me the details below so that I will upload your details into my bank’s database as the official heir to the and give you further instruction.
Reply to my private email: Dr.mckenzierory_uk@yahoo.com
(1) name:
(2) address:
(3) Tel:
(4) age:
(5) gender:
{6) occupation status:
Thanks as you send your details to ensure our success in this once in a life time opportunity.
Friendly greetings,
Dr.Mckenzie Rory
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Anti-fraud resources:
