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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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)
- "fudiciary" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
- "hundred thousand united states dollars" (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)
- "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +2348073795600 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)
- 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.
- compensation_scottrichards2@yahoo.it (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
- 3acompensation_scottrichards2@yahoo.it
Fraud email example:
From: "allen blakes" <allen_blakes@ig.com.br>
Date: Sun, 22 Jun 2008 06:46:16 -0700
Subject: UNFINISHED TRANSFER OF FUNDS !
Dear Friend,
Due to your effort, sincerity, courage and trust worthiness you showed
during the course of the Uk Online Lotto Winning cheque shipment to your
location, I want to compensate you and show my gratitude to you with the sum
of $300,000.000. USD (Three Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) I have
authorized the finance house where I deposited the money to issue you an
international certified bank draft cashable at any bank in your country.
My dear,I will like you to contact the CEO in charge of the finance house
for the collection of this international certified bank draft.
The name of the Person with your Cheque.
COMPENSATION AND FINANCE HOUSE HEAD OFFICE
CONTACT AGENT :Mr Scoth Richards
Email:compensation_scottrichards2@yahoo.it<Email%3Acompensation_scottrichards2@yahoo.it>
Office:+234 807 379 5600
Finance and Security House
United Kingdom Deposit Firm
FSH Towers
At the moment, I am very busy at Sydney,Australia because of the investment
projects which myself and my new partner Mr Peter Hills and George Spencer
of CTL Company are having at hand.
Finally, remember that I have forwarded instruction to Mr Scoth Richards at
the finance house on your behalf to send the bank draft to you as soon as
you contact him without delay. Please I will like you to accept this token
with good faith as this is from the bottom of my heart.
Thanks and God bless you and your family.
The current policy of the Lotto organiser is that if an emerged winner fails
to claim his/her winning cheque it's now mandatory that this fund can be
remitted or forfeited to the fudiciary agent in charge of this winners file.
1. Full Names:
2. Residential Address:
3. Phone Number:
4. Fax Number:
5. Occupation:
6. Sex:
7. Age :
8. Nationality:
9. Present Country:
However, I want you to contact him immediately as soon as you receive this
information because he is leaving for Holland by the end of next month and
this might cost a delay for you to receive this draft.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Sincerely,
Mrs.Shirley Oswald
Anti-fraud resources:
