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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:
- "% of every transaction" (Beware of any scheme that involves depositing checks or money orders or receiving wire transfers in your bank account and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere, for a percentage of 5-15% of the total. Such offers are *always* fraudulent and you will be liable for the entire amount when the checks, money orders or wire transfers turn out to be fraudulent. Any money already forwarded comes out of *your* pocket then. )
- "deduct your 10%" (Beware of any scheme that involves depositing checks or money orders or receiving wire transfers in your bank account and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere, for a percentage of 5-15% of the total. Such offers are *always* fraudulent and you will be liable for the entire amount when the checks, money orders or wire transfers turn out to be fraudulent. Any money already forwarded comes out of *your* pocket then. )
- "here in united kingdom" (this email uses bad English)
- "money order " (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. )
- "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. )
- "cheques " (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 company representative scam. This type of job offer scam involves the cashing of fake checks and money orders. It could expose you to losses of tens of thousands of dollars as well as to the risk of criminal prosecution and (in some cases) imprisonment.
- Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
- 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.
- +447024074726 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
- 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.
- kensascrownco@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "kensascrownco02@terra.es" <kensascrownco02@terra.es>
Date: Mon, 27 Aug 2007 20:38:41 +0200 (MEST)
Subject: JOB OPPORTUNITY
KANSAI CROWN CO, LTD. 10 SOUTH AVENUE
BUXTON,DERBYSHIRE
SK17 6JZ
+447024074726
ENGLAND.
GOODDAY!
I am Mr.Diaz Smith,Marketing Manager of KANSAI CROWN CO, LTD FABRIC MANUFACTURING,IMPORT/EXPORT CO. here in United Kingdom. We are a fabric Manufacturing Company and we export our products to other countries for sale when our customers are in request of them we are headed by our C E O, and we have expanded our business into Canada,United State asian,Dubai and others European countries.
We are looking for a representative who will be working for us as a partime worker and we will be willing to pay 10% for every transaction, which wouldnt affect your present state of work, someone who would help recieve payments from our customers in your country,i mean someone that is responsible and reliable, because the cost of coming over and getting payments is very expensive, We are working on setting up a branch in your country,so for now we need a representative who will be handling the payment aspect for our company.
These payments are in money order or cheques or western union and they
would come to you in your name if you are willing to assist as a representative, so all you need do is to receive or cash the money order or cheque and deduct your percentage and we will give
you the mode of payment. You are entitled to 10% of every transaction you attended to. For example, if you reecive a payment of $1000 from our buyer, you will cash the cheque or money order and deduct your 10% which is $100 and send the rest to our office or branch office. So, you will receive 10% from any amout you cash or receive from our buyer and send the rest to our office.
But the problem we have is trust,we will surely reward trust worthy attributes towards our growing company. If you are interested,please get back to me by sending the following:
1.Full Name
2.Residential Address
3.Mobile Phone Number
4.Age
NOTE: All charges will be deducted from the money paid by our buyer, so you are rest assured that you wouldnt send a dime out of your personal money.
Kindly contact us via this email address (kensascrownco@hotmail.com)
Mr DIAZ SMITH.
Marketing Manager (KANSAI CROWN CO, LTD)
TEL: +447024074726
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