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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 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)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- 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.
- fedexcourier_009@sify.com (Sify; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: don williams <don_williams_001@yahoo.fr>
Date: Sat, 22 Aug 2009 10:50:33 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: Contact Fedex
Dear Friend
We have concluded with the manager Bank Forign Remittance Oporation to cash ur check of $2.5million dollars and deposit to fedex company because he told me that before the check will get to you it will expire.
So I told him to cash that compensation of $2.5million USD for you and registered it as a Photographic Materials contact fedex Mr. Obukweli George City ---- Cotonou Country --- Benin Republic Email (
fedexcourier_009@sify.com) with
Your.Name...........
Address........
Phone..........
Your country........
Then do send the security keeping charge of $120 usd and your shippment tracking number will be given to you without additional charge
Best regard.
Mr. Mark Morris
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Anti-fraud resources:
