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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:
- 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:
- "contact me immediately" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "chambers" (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.
- 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.
- peter_donatus@rocketmail.com (Rocketmail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Peter Donatus <peterdonatus45@yahoo.com.ph>
Reply-To: peter_donatus@rocketmail.com
Date: Wed, 9 Nov 2011 23:22:21 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: Re:Very urgent pls
JAWIELS CHAMBERS & CO.
Solicitors & Advocate
No.294 von volien Zongo,
03 bp, Cotonou,
Republique du Benin
Email:peter_donatus@rocketmail.com
Hello and how are you?
I got your contact after a desperate
search for a person with whom I can entrust with something that can
benefit both of us on upon an excellent and mutually agreed-upon
percentage.
The fact is that I have a very good
business proposition to invite you in which both of us are going to
benefit from this transaction financially. I will be very happy if you
will be sincere with me to handle this project with utmost sincerity and
in confidentiality.
Please respond urgently if you are
interested in this my business proposition sent to you so I can explain
better to you with the full picture of all necessary details, so that we
both can commence on the transaction properly.
Please if you know you are not ready OR
you are not a trust worthy person, please don't reply to this message.
And I am Sorry and just over look this business proposition if it
offends your moral and ethic values, but please contact me immediately
if you're interested by replying through this my private email address
as for us to discuss further and respectfully in secret and
confidential.
Wait your urgent response.
Yours sincerely
Peter Donatus
Email:peter_donatus@rocketmail.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
