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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)
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- 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.
- sgt.shmccraney@usa.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: SHANNON MCCRAN <frankbelumou67bf@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: sgt.shmccraney@usa.com
Date: Thu, 12 Oct 2017 18:39:31 +0100
Subject: Sgt. Shann Mcc.
My dear Friend
I am Sgt Shannon Mccraney, I am a citizen of the United States of America. I am serving as United Nations special security personnel; and have served in many conflict and war affected countries. I am currently in the country of Burkina Faso since September 2015 for special duty due to the attempted military overthrow of the civilian government.
I have in my possession the sum of $3.5 million which I have kept reserved in deposit with a financial institution. I have some investment desire to place this money on industrial business investment so that it can be more yielding.
I want you to assist me we may come into partnership to invest it in a good profitable Venture as you may suggest.
Please reply back to me if you are willing to work with me so that we can begin a project for a reasonable and beneficiary profit.
You will realize that our nature of service is a fragile profession whereby we engage on
duties with uncertainties; and so I need a trustful person to handle this. We shall discuss more on this when I receive your good intentional reply strictly through my regular E-mail address: sgt.shmccraney@usa.com.
Your urgent reply is needed.
Thank Yours
Sgt Shannon Mccraney
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Anti-fraud resources:
