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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "urgent assistance" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
- 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.
- musayousef13@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: musa yousef <musayousef79@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: musa yousef <musayousef13@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 2 Apr 2018 05:31:30 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: GOOD DAY MY DEAR FRIEND
Hello Dear Friend,
I need your urgent assistance in transferring the sum of $10.5) Million into your bank account within 7 banking days.
This money has been dormant for years in our Bank without claim. If you can assist and capable of assisting please I need your urgent response to enable me provide you the details.
Note that you will have 40% of the above mentioned sum if you agree to handle this business with me while 60% will be for me then after you confirm this fund into your account I will come over to you country for the sharing of the fund.
The deal is 100% risk free and it will be legally backed up with government approved.
If you are interested reply immediately with the following information’s below
Your Full Name...........
Your Resident Address.........
Your Phone Number..........
Your Age........
Your Occupation............
Your id card or international passport copy ……
Contact me through my privet email below: musayousef13@gmail.com
Waiting for your reply
Â
Best regard,
Foreign chief executive officer
Mr. Musa Yousef
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Anti-fraud resources:
