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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:
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- ",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)
- This email message is a "dying merchant" scam.
Fraud email example:
From: "Leo Nathan" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrleonathann@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Wed, 21 Nov 2018 03:16:42 +0100
Subject: RESPOND FOR DETAILS
I am Mr.Leonard Nathan from UK.I have been diagnosed with cancer and the cancer has defiled all forms of medical treatment,
right now I have only about a few months to live. I am very rich, but was never generous; I have given most of my assets
to my immediate family members.
I have decided to give alms to charity organizations. I cannot do this myself anymore because of my health. I once
asked members of my family to give some money to charity organizations, they refused and kept the money. I have a huge
cash deposit of GBP10,000,000.00 with a bank here in the UK. I will want you to help me collect this deposit and dispatch
it to charity organizations. You will take out 30% of these funds for your assistance.
I will like you to acknowledge receipt of this e-mail as soon as possible and treats it with sincerity.
Leo Nathan
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Anti-fraud resources:
