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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:
- "million 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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Dr.Cho hwan" <warrifle99@gmail.com>
Reply-To: c_hwan@yahoo.com
Date: Wed, 1 Nov 2017 22:58:40 +0100
Subject: SEEKING FOR ASSISTANCE
This is Cho Hwan, A native of Seoul SouthKorea and also a
humanitarian project/ Military contractor. I actually contacted you
to help me receive and keep 7.5 million dollars for safe keeping and
further investments. As i have made available the funds to be
delivered through confidential delivery channels available to me here
in Afghanistan. It is oil money and legal.
I have successfully executed contracts for UNICEF /NATO in Kabul
Afghanistan and i solicit your
Assistance to move my contract payment out of Afghanistan for
investment purposes.
This fund is my contract payment for executed contracts/ Jobs here in
kabul Afghanistan .
Please note that i am most willing to offer you, up to 25% for your
candid assistance
In these transaction.
.
I will appreciate your prompt response and assistance .
Regards
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Anti-fraud resources:
