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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:
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found 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.
- info24alpha@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Elizabeth Williams" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <liz1wil@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 14 Jan 2010 06:59:17 -0000
Subject: MONEY FOR YOU FOR INVESTMENTS
Good day,
I know you will be surprised to receive this mail from me as we do not know each other nevertheless I am Mrs. Elizabeth Cooper (Liberian) presently residing in Accra Ghana.
I am reaching you for your co-operation to secure an opportunity to invest and to go into joint business partnership with you in your country. I have a substantial capital of 12MUSD I intend to invest jointly with you into a lucrative business ventures based on your advice and directive in your country.
I am willing to let you have 20% of the capital sum, I wish to invest for your assistance and also for you to manage the investment for me in your country.
For now I will like you to tell me more about y our self starting with your
FULL NAME
CONTACT ADDRESS
PHONE
FAX
MOBILE
BUSINESS NAME
POSITION IN BUSINESS.
And an any of your Id for my records
It is very important that you call me on my cell once you accept this opportunity to confirm your acceptance, email me info24alpha@gmail.com call me anytime on +233272301117 for further clarification
God bless you as I will be looking forward to hear from you urgently.
Mrs. Elizabeth Williams
Daniel Williams (son)
+233272301117
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Anti-fraud resources:
