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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:
- "a security company " (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 send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "linbechowels001@live.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- "linbechowels001@live.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: becky howels <linbechowels22@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 26 Aug 2009 12:46:03 +0000
Subject: hello
Email: linbechowels001@live.com
I am Linda Becky Howels.The Daughter of late Patrick Howels who was
the member of French parliament in Monaco.he was appointed to take
control of the French parliament management in Monaco during the time
of Charles Jean-Pierre.On 15 of December 2004 my Father fell sicked
and he was flown to Canada for treatment and later died of ulcer and
he has been buried.During his time because of his position he made
huge sum money from the sale of diamond which is the national
resources of democratic republic Congo. before he demised he deposited
the sum of three millions five hundred thousand America dollars
($3.5millions) with a security company in overseas. I decided to look
for a good and trustworthy person outside Monaco who could assist me
to release this money from the care of the security company for
shiping to overseas for a good and lucrative investment that is why i
decided to contact you. Kindly reply to this email adress
linbechowels001@live.com for more details.
Sincerely
Linda Becky Howels
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Anti-fraud resources:
