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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- 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.
- +2348033286337 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)
- 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.
- usmangaladima1@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: johncross morah <johncrossng_morah004@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 17 Aug 2007 15:27:22 +0000
Subject: DEAR FRIEND
RE: CERTIFIED BANK DRAFT OF USD$850.000
DEAR FRIEND, I'm happy to inform you about my success in getting those funds transferred under the cooperation of a new partner from Paraguay. Presently I and my family are now in Paraguay for investment projects with my own share of the total sum.
Although I later realized that you were not capable enough to execute the transaction with me then, but nevertheless didn't forget your past efforts and attempts to assist me in transferring those funds despite that it failed us somehow, However, you should contact my secretary in Nigeria Mr. Usman.Gladima on Email: usmangaladima1@gmail.com Or his phone number TEL: 234 80-33286337 . Ask him to send you the Cheque of $850,000 dollars which I kept for your compensation for all the past efforts and attempt to assist me. However I appreciated your efforts so far regards to the transaction. so feel free and get in touched with Mr.Usman.Galadima instruct him where to send the amount to you. Please do let me know immediately you receive the cheque, so that we can share the joy after all the suffer ness at that time. in the moment, Iam very busy here because of the investment projects which I and my new partner is having at hand, so feel free to get in touch with Mr. Usman.Galadima, he will attend to you without delay. Regards,
Johncross.Morah
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Anti-fraud resources:
