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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:
- ",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)
- "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)
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "confidential business" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "very 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.)
- "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "cotonou" (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 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.
- benard.annan@hotmail.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "barr.didierkidjo@adinet.com.uy" <barr.didierkidjo@adinet.com.uy>
Date: Tue, 9 Nov 2010 14:13:02 -0300 (UYT)
Subject: Very urgent..
Dear freind,
Accept my humble apology for sending you this unfamilier email which
time mandated me to reach you without further delays, i am a legal
avocate here in the city of Cotonou Benin Repulic West Africa by name
Barrister Benard Annan of Divine Grace law firm.
I have urgent and very confidential business proposition involving
transfer of ($4,500,000.00) that will be of great benefit for both of
us because you have the same last name with the original depositor of the
fund.
I will give you more details as regards this transaction as soon as
you notify me of your interest to work with me in this rear
opportunity.
Awaiting your urgent reply via my confidential email
address:(benard.annan@hotmail.fr)
Regards,
Barr.Benard Annan.
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Anti-fraud resources:
