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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:
- ",000,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "confidential business" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "very confidential" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "i got your email address from " (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
- "power of attorney" (with your bank details and a power of attorney form criminals sometimes empty bank accounts)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
Fraud email example:
From: "Office Contact" <Office@suncor.com>
Reply-To: officialmail594@gmail.com
Date: 20 Feb 2018 16:17:13 +0000
Subject: Re: URGENT PLEASE sudarat@mensasoft.com
Hello.
I got your email address from a business directory. I am Melvin
M.Hansley, a security manager of (HSBC Bank) I have urgent and
very confidential business proposition for you,I work with the
above mentioned bank and need a partner who will come forward to
make claim to this deposited funds. It was deposited by a US
soldier from the 3rd Infantry Division, The soldier doesn't want
anyone from his office or top officers to know he deposited this
funds with our bank. I wish to solicit your partnership to come
forward for this claim of ($25,000,000.00 Twenty five millions
United State Dollars.)The soldier need a honest trust and
reliable person that can assist him to receive the funds and
invest the funds. I will give you all necessary information to
come forward for the claim of the funds, The soldier is ready to
go 50/50 with you. %50 for you and %50 for him and both of you
will give to me 10% for assisting. This funds have stay long with
us for 5 years now without the soldier coming back for the claim.
We need to work as team so that I can apply for the transfer of
the funds. I will apply with a power of attorney to change the
depositor name to yours for the claim of the funds as a partner
of the soldier.I hope you understand.
Best Regards
Melvin M.Hansley.
Tel: +1 4045966532
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Anti-fraud resources:
