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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:
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Elizabeth Jabber <elizjabber@outlook.com>
Reply-To: Elizabeth Jabber <jabberfeedifoster@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 13 Nov 2017 21:15:41 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Greetings
Greetings Dear
I am an orphan. I lost my parents in auto gastric accidents a year ago and ever since then life has never been fair for me. The most funny thing is that I'm in a hiding place after my uncles threaten to assassinate me because I refuses to give them document of the funds my late father left in a bank and uses my name as his only child, daughter and next of kin. They had ended up selling off all my late father's properties but thank God I have document of this fund my late father handed over to me before he passed out. After gone through your profile here, I was pleased and had this trust that you can help me receive this fund and help me found a better life. I am still undergraduate and still want to further my education. You will equally help me invest this fund in a profitable business of your choice.
Thanks and remain blessed
Miss: Elizabeth Jabber
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Anti-fraud resources:
