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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:
- "a security company " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "million 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)
- This email message is a orphan scam.
- 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.
- +22548122835 (Cote d'Ivoire, probably a 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.
- ahmed099@centrum.sk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From:
Date:
Subject: PARTNERSHIP REQUEST.
PARTNERSHIP REQUEST.
Phone:+225 481 228 35.
EMAIL:ahmed099@centrum.sk
It's my pleasure to acquaint you with this proposal for a financial and business assistance. I am MR.AHMED COULIBALY DUNGO.The only son of Alhaji Dungo.Alhaji Dungo was one of the wealthiest Businessmen in Africa.As he was popularly known as (Dungo farm Plc).
Now i am contacting you because my Father is Late and his establishment manager together with co-workers have channeled more of his wealth to thier own selfishness.The reason is that i was too young proi to the death of my Late Father.However,going through some of his files at home i descovered a document showing that he made a fixed deposite of ($30.MILLION DOLLARS) in a security company in Dubai.
As i am writing to you now i am with all the documents and have also comfirmed from the Security Company in Dubai that the amount was deposited by my late Father for onward Investment of (HOTEL INDUSTRY AND ESTATE MANAGEMENT).
I am only 21year old now,also according to the security company I can not have access to the Deposited funds unless i present to them a foriegn partner who will carry on the projects in his country.So,all i need from you is your willingness to partner with me by presenting you to the Security Company In Dubai for them to transfer the Funds to your account.
I AM WRITING YOU ON CONVINCION THAT YOU ARE SUCH A PRUDENT PERSONALTY THAT CAN BE TRUSTED.If you are interested to assist me or to partner with me to carryout this project please kindly reply me immediately so as to provide you with all the neccessary information that will help us accomplish this bussiness.
Yours,
MR AHMED COULIBALY DUNGO.
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Anti-fraud resources:
