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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:
- ",500,000" (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)
- "here in united kingdom" (this email uses bad English)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "OFFICE FILE" <purnomo@antara.co.id>
Reply-To: davidcole.inc015@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 31 Oct 2022 16:41:20 +0100
Subject: FOR YOUR URGENT ATTENTION.
Attention Sir/Madam,
My name is Mr. David Cole. I write to request your cooperation in my
desire to find a foreign partner who will assist me in the relocation
and investment of a substantial sum amounting to FOURTEEN MILIION FIVE
HUNDRED THOUSAND BRITISH POUNDS.[14,500,000GBP]
I am the Operations Manager with a reputable Bank here in United
Kingdom.The entire plan and documents of this transaction will be
forwarded to you as soon as I receive your positive response. I also
want to assure you that there is no risk attached to you in this
business.
Thanks as I await your positive response with your contact details.
Best Regards
David Cole
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Anti-fraud resources:
