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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:
- "% will be for you" (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 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.
- bongrothana@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Layar Nizar" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <bongrothana@hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 1 Nov 2017 21:33:45 +0700
Subject: MY PURPOSE OF CONTACTING YOU
Hello
How are you? I hope all is well with you. My name Layar Nizar from Syria,
I know you don't know me and you shouldn't be surprise that I am
contacting you. I am writing you from Hospital. I was diagnosed of lungs
cancer after the chemical attacked accusing the Syria army. I lost my
entire family in that attack. Yesterday my doctor said I will not be live
long in my current condition. I and my late husband owned a seafood
company in Cambodia. It has been closed because we couldn't return back to
continue and only my company account is running there. My current balance
is $11,160.000.00 which I want to give you. I want you to use it for
charity plans and humanitarian aid for the homeless Syrian people in
Europe and other part of the world.
The less privileged, the widows in your country should be part of the
humanitarian aid. This decision was made because I can't go back to
Cambodia anymore.
I got your email from the Internet search to help me handle my plans. I
know you don't know me and I don't know you too. But my feelings choose
you, because I don't have anyone. If you are interested to get the money
for my plans, 7% will be for your commitment and effort to achieve my
plan, and you should contact my lawyer in Cambodia. Email:
bongrothana@hotmail.com or phone number +85578642079 to direct and arrange the
release of the funds to you. Please cooperate with him. You will get the
money transfer to you
From now I can't reply you again. This email was secretly sent to you
confidentially. Thanks
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Anti-fraud resources:
