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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:
- "hundred thousand united state 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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Li Ka Shing Foundation <kashing344@gmail.com>
Reply-To: Li Ka Shing Foundation <kashingsfoundation@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 13 Jun 2017 20:27:20 +0900 (JST)
Subject: RE: I WAIT FOR YOUR RESPONSE
Hello Dear,Â
My name is Mr. Li Ka-shing, a philanthropist and the founder of Cheung Kong Holdings and Li Ka Shing Foundation, The Chairman of the Board of Hutchison Whampoa Limited HWL and Cheung Kong Holdings, the world's largest operator of container terminals and the world's largest health and beauty retailer.Â
We offer support to children through innovative education initiatives. Our core focus is to encourage enterprise through education, training and building the right skills today so our young people can become the entrepreneurs of tomorrow. I believed strongly in ‘giving while living.’Â
I had one idea that never changed that you should use your wealth to help people therefore I have decided to give you $1.2 One Million Two Hundred Thousand United State Dollars to randomly selected individuals worldwide. On receipt of this email you should count yourself as the lucky individual.Â
Your email address was chosen online while searching at random therefore reply now so that I will know that your email address still valid:
Best Regards
Sir Ka-Shing Li GBM KBE
Founder Cheung Kong Holdings
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Anti-fraud resources:
