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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.
- 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)
- "keep this confidential" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "executive governor" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
- 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.
- 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.
- barradedeji@aol.com (AOL; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
- ipaja 100006 lagos nigeria phone: +234-8137517538 email: barradedeji@aol.com dear friend, i am seeking your partnership for an investment (Aol; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Barrister Adedeji Sotomi" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <barristeradedejisotomi11@inMail.sk>
Date: Fri, 9 Jul 2010 00:10:41 +0100
Subject: YOUR ASSISTANCE IS NEEDED
Adedeji Sotomi
Yid/Ekundayo St. (Paul Aluko House)
Yid B/Stop, off Command Road
Ipaja 100006 Lagos Nigeria
Phone: +234-8137517538
Email: barradedeji@aol.com
Dear Friend,
I am seeking your partnership for an investment abroad I am representing my
boss client Chief James Ibori Ex-Governor of Delta State "The Rich Crude Oil
Region of West Africa" I have a very sensitive and confidential brief from this
top (oligarch) to ask for your partnership in re-profiling fund worth
US$25M. This is a legitimate transaction; you will be paid 20% for
your "management fees".
Source of Funds:
The fund derived from Crude Oil Lifted from his private Oil Well. During my
client regime as a Sole Administration/Executive Governor of the State, he
handle a lot of Crude Oil dealings and along the line he was arrested and
charge for misappropriation of funds and purchasing of a Private Jet and in two
occasion his wife was arrested by the British Authority trying to divert some
fund across the United Kingdom.
Your Role:
All I need from you is to stand as the beneficiary of the above quoted sum and
all deposit documents will be made available in your favor which will enable
the Security Company hand over the entire deposit to you as the beneficiary. My
client intends to use this sum to relocate abroad for a possible investment
project after regaining his freedom.
See the related sites for conformation of this issue.
(1) news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7141047.stm
(2) www.saharareporters.com/index.php
(3) thenewsng.com/mails/the-new-godfather-why-ibori-is
(4) londonhis-assets-to-remain-frozen.html -
If you are interested, please write back and provide me with your confidential
telephone number and email address and I will provide further details and
instructions. Please keep this confidential; we can't afford more political
problems. Finally, please note that this must be concluded within two weeks.
Please reply to my private email ;(barristeradedejisotomi11@inMail.sk) (barristeradedejisotomi@24.com)Waiting
your response,
Regards
Barrister Adedeji Sotomi
Attorney/Legal Practitioner.
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Anti-fraud resources:
