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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "levy " (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. )
- "chambers" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "abuja" (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.
- 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.
- emmchukus@yahoo.co.uk (Yahoo, United Kingdom; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Emmanuel Emmanuel Chukus <emmchukus@freenet.de>
Date: Fri, 06 May 2011 14:08:16 +0200
Subject: REPLY AND LET'S DO THIS
Attn: Friend,
I know it may seem strange on how i got your E-mail.Well I got your contact from your country chambers and commerce departmant.I decided to contact you.I am Mr Emmanuel Chukus The Branch Head to Late Susan Levy who was a depositor of US$6 Million with Union Bank before he died.
I am contacting you to assist me transfer this funds into a safety account abroad.which 40% of the total funds transferred to your vital bank account as compensation for your assistance.I wait to receive your full contact address.
Thank you for your consideration in this matter.Please do send your reply to my private email box emmchukus@yahoo.co.uk
Yours truly,
Mr Emmanuel Chukus
Union Bank Plc.
Wuse II, Abuja,
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Anti-fraud resources:
