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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:
- "cost of transfer" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. Never ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
- ",000,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "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. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- 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.
- markkoffi_sec@ubbi.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "bronze daniel" <danielbronze6@mailbox.hu>
Date: Tue, 20 May 2008 04:33:41 +0200
Subject: Contact my secretary in Benin Republic For Your Gift
Dearest Friend,
The Bank finally transfered the fund to Mr. Saeed Kabiru's account the new
investor who began to finance the transaction after we could not pay for the
cost of transfer fees.You have to contact my secretary in Benin Republic to
enable him send you a check of $1,000,000.00 which I set aside to compensate
you for your initial effort towards the success of the transaction.
Contact Person:
Mr MARK KOFFI
E-mail: markkoffi_sec@ubbi.com
Tel:002297472235
contact him and re-confirm your address and telephone number to him in order
to avoid wrong dispatchment of your check or any error.I am very busy right
now it has been a hectic moment for me now and I hope you will understand
what I mean.I have already passed instruction to him and he will send the
cheque accross to you as soon as you contact him for the dispatchment.
I am currently in Paragua and I'll be in kuwait soon for negotiation of a
lucrative business
venture.I will inform you when I return back to France in the next 6 months
precisely after due establishments for felicitation and celebration of my
Birth day.You are specially invited in advance.
Kind Regards,
Daniel Bronze
Anti-fraud resources:
