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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:
- "hundred thousand united state 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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- This email message is a fake lottery scam. Consider the following facts about real lotteries:
- They don't notify winners by email.
- You can't win without first buying a lottery ticket.
- They don't randomly select email addresses to award prizes to.
- They don't use free email accounts (Yahoo, Hotmail, etc) to communicate with you.
- They don't tell you to call a mobile phone number.
- They don't tell you to keep your winnings secret.
- They will never ask a winner to pay any fees to receive a prize!
- 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.
- lottery.agent@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Lottery Agent <lottery.agent@yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 17 Aug 2013 11:47:14 +0100 (BST)
Subject: CONGRATULATION FROM CRAIGSLIST COMPANY....READ AND DROP US A MAIL NOW ..SENIOR ACCOUNTANT EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (mission district)
CONGRATULATIONS FROM CRAIGSLIST COMPANY
We are pleased to inform you of the result that just concluded annual Final draws held on the month of(17 August 2013) by
craigslist group in cash Promotion to encourage the usage of craigslist world wide, your JavaScript: void (0) Name was among the 20 Lucky winners who won $600.000.00USD (six hundred thousand united state dollars) each on the craigslist group promotion
Award Attached to ticket number (5647600545189) and Ref No (2551256002/244) Serial Number (55643451907).
The online draws was Conducted by a random selection of email you where picked By an Advanced automated random computer
search from the craigslist.org in other to Claim your $600.000.00USD the lottery program which is a new innovation by craigslist
is aimed at saying A BIG THANK YOU to all our users for making craigslist.org
Their number one means to connect, communicate, relate and hook up with their families and friends over the years.
You are required to contact real dispatch dept via email (lottery.agent@yahoo.com)on below in order for us to complete
your winning certificate and for further information regarding the disbursement of your lottery win.
FULL NAME:
FULL CONTACT ADDRESS:
MOBILE PHONE NUMBER:
OCCUPATION:
MARITAL STATUS AND AGE:
NATIONALITY / COUNTRY:
TICKET NUMBER:
REF NUMBER:
SERIAL NUMBER:
YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS:
All winnings must be claimed not later than first of september 2013. After this
Date, all unclaimed funds will be included in the next stake.
Thanks.
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Anti-fraud resources:
