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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)
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "top secret" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Mr. Yan Kurnia<hamidulhaque1973@gmail.com>
Reply-To: mmkgfs011@gmail.com
Date: 8 Dec 2021 21:14:41 +0100
Subject: DEAR FRIEND.
Dear Friend,
Please be patient enough to read my good will message, I am Mr.
Yan Kurnia an active banker. I have a confidential deal I need
you to play a role. I contacted you, after looking into your
profile then I fully convinced you are in better position to
handle this deal. I will like you to present yourself as a next
of kin to $20 Million Dollar, that have be abandon for years by
our late customer in my bank. Since I work here in the bank I
will provide you necessary information’s needed to legally move
the money out to a safe account where we can share among
ourselves. Although I prefer to remain anonymous in the
transaction but I will be behind providing you important
information’s and directives how to work with the bank to
succeed. Don’t be afraid it’s going to be a 100% risk free
transaction since I still work here in the bank and be rest
assured that whatever technique you deserve to get the
transaction successfully concluded shall be provided to you by
me.
I will be giving you guidelines how to apply for transfer of the
funds as the Next of Kin to the deceased. All I need from you is
that trust and confidentiality since I will remain anonymous in
the transaction though very active from behind. Have in mind that
at the end we will both share the money 50/50% if the funds are
finally released to you. Please let this transaction remain top
secret with you alone and should not be disclosed to anyone no
matter the circumstances, otherwise my job and reputation will be
in total jeopardy. In this transaction I only chose to
communicate with you via email alone, though I will have your
phone number with me if there is need for me to talk to you on
phone I will always do the calling.
For God sake let trust and good will reign among both of us,reply
for more informations.
Yours Faithfully
Mr. Yan Kurnia
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