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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:
- "will come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "liberia" (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.
Fraud email example:
From: Jerry Charles <jerrycharweb@owomonie.com>
Date: Mon, 12 Oct 2009 19:55:43 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Dear Confidant
Dear Confidant
Compliments of the day, I know that this mail will come to you as a surprise but be rest assured that it is intended for the mutual good of us. Jerry Charles Personal aide to the formal president of Liberia (Mr. Charles Taylor) who's presently facing War crime charges at the World Court in Hague As a result of pressure from the International Community during his days in office I had to flee the country for my safety, where I am currently laying low seeking political asylum in Europe.
Before the fall of his Government he directed me to lodge some funds in a Private Firm. Now that he's facing trail the deposit I want to retrieve the deposit to avoid confiscating the deposit by the Government.
MY PROPOSAL: I want you to help me make claims of this fund (US$7,5M) so that ownership change will be effected for easy movements of the funds hence my political asylum statue will not allow me handle such transaction. After the transferring the funds we can use it for joint investment for the benefit of our both families.
I have agreed to give you 30% of this money for your assistance, 10% for expenses that we may insure and 60% would be mine.
Though we have never met, but I want to give you a blind trust and believe you will not sell me out. Please if you are interested email me the following details below;
1. Your Full Name
2. Postal address
3. Occupation
4. Telephone
These information will enable me formally introduce you to the management of the company as a business associate to whom the deposit will be released to with relevant information related to the Deposit which I shall give to you. Wait your response for further discussion and how to proceed
Regards
Jerry Charles
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Anti-fraud resources:
