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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.
- This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "hundred thousand united states 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 "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.
- 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.
- ayajo74@yahoo.it (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr.Goodluck Michael." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <ayajo74@yahoo.it>
Date: Fri, 11 Dec 2009 01:59:28 +0100
Subject: RE: In appreciation of your earlier assistance !
Hello Dear,
it is my pleasure to reach you after our unsuccessful attempt on our
business transaction. I want to use this medium to thank you very much for
your earlier assistance to help me in receiving the funds. I am obliged to
inform you that I have succeeded in receiving the funds with the help of a
new partner from South America Mr. Alfredo Gomez Castillo. Everything was
perfectly done because we strike a deal with one of the Lady Accountant who
works with the Federal Ministry of Finance (FMF), and she rendered a
tremendous help to us. My new partner initiated this idea and everything
worked out successfully.
In appreciation of your earlier assistance to me in receiving the fund s, I
have decided to compensate you with the sum of $800.000 (Eight hundred
thousand United States Dollars) in a Cashier's draft. This is from my own
share. I did this simply to show appreciation to you for your kind support
and assistance even though we couldn't succeed due to some unforeseen
circumstances. Presently, I am in South Korea for investment with my own
share under the advice of my partner. Contact my secretary in Cotonou Benin
Republic his name is Rev. Ugo Lucky, and send him your contact address
where you want the draft to be sent to you. Bellow is the information’s you
should forward to my secretary
Name: Rev. Ugo Lucky
E-mail: ayajo74@yahoo.it
Phone: +22996342832
Mr.Goodluck Michael.
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