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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)
- "million 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)
- "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)
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- 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.
- +22993815795 (Benin, probably a 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.
- david_taylor0002@yahoo.fr
Fraud email example:
From: "chi ube" <chikeluojohn13@ig.com.br>
Date: Sun, 4 May 2008 09:50:36 -0800
Subject: CONTACT MY SECRETARY...MR.DAVID
*
Dear friend,
I am very happy to inform you about my success in getting that fund now; I
want you to contact my secretary on the information below:
NAME; Mr. David Taylor
Telephone Number: +229 938 15795
EMAIL: david_taylor0002@yahoo.fr
Ask him to send you the total sum of ($3.5 Million United State Dollars)
Three million Five hundred thousand United State Dollars in a bank draft,
which I kept for your compensation.
Do not worry about the courier fee I have given him the fee $45 dollars. So
feel free to contact him with your informations below:
Full Name:
Home Address:
Occupation:
Cell Phone
Country:
Age:
Please contact him with this information above for the registion of the bank
draft at Courier Company.
Thanks for your help and I will stop here again. You let me know immediately
you receive it. Am waiting for the good news from you.
Regards,
Mr. Chikeluo John
*
Anti-fraud resources:
