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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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 "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.
- royedouya1@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: DAWN DAYKIN <rosiedaykin@btinternet.com>
Reply-To: rosiedaykn@yahoo.com
Date: Sat, 16 Jan 2010 14:37:12 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: Call Mrs. Linda on +229 9702 0953 for your $1.2m compensation
Dear Friend,
I'm happy to inform you about my success in getting those funds transfered under the co-operation of a new partner. Meanwhile, i didn't forget
your past efforts and attempts to assist me in transferring those funds despite that it failed us some how. Now contact my Secretary on his
informations below.
Name: Mrs.Linda Edouya
Email: royedouya1@hotmail.com
Direct mobile: +229 9702 0953
Ask him to send you the total of $1.2m USD in a certified bank cheque which I kept for your compensation. In the moment, I'm very busy here
because of the investment projects which the new partner and I are having at hand, finally remember to send your current informations to him as
below.
1) Your full name........................................
2) Your contact address.................................
3) Your direct telephone..................................
I will advise that you call him on receipt of this mail so that it will facilitate the hole thing and make sure you get back to me as soon as
you receive your money ok.
Thanks and God bless.
Yours Sincerely.
Dawn Daykin.
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Anti-fraud resources:
