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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "hundred thousand us 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 "New Partner from Paraguay" 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.
Fraud email example:
From: CHRIS ANDREW <candrew2011@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Mon, 1 Jul 2013 16:26:25 +0100 (BST)
Subject: CONTACT REVEREND FOR YOUR COMPENSATION MONEY
DEAR FRIEND ,
I AM VERY MUCH HAPPY TO INFORM YOU ABOUT MY SUCCESS IN GETTING THAT FUNDS NOW,I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR GOOD EFFORT,NOW I WANT YOU TO CONTACT MY BANK FOR YOUR CHEQUE
ON THIS INFORMATION BELOW THESE REQUESTED INFORMATION'S.
YOUR FULL NAME ADDRESS,
AGE,
OCCUPATION TELEPHONE COUNTRY
ID CARD
REVEREND DR.JAMES PETEREMAIL. rev.dr.jpeter@gmail.comTELEPHONE +229 6868 6809
ASK THEM TO SEND YOU THE TOTAL SUM $2.500.000.00 TWO MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND US DOLLARS IN A INTERNATIONAL CASHIER DRAFT WHICH I KEPT FOR YOUR COMPENSATION.
YOURS SINCERELYCHRIS ANDREW
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Anti-fraud resources:
