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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.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million us 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)
- 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.
- mariamcamara2030@aol.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "test test" <test@xenetech.com>
Date: Tue, 9 Feb 2010 09:04:00 -0600
Subject: GREETINGS FROM MARIAM
Attn: Dear friend
I'm Mrs Mariam Shaqee Camara and I have been suffering from ovarian cancer disease and the doctor says that i have just few weeks to live.I am from (limerick) Ireland but base in Ivory Coast West Africa since eight years ago as a business woman dealing on gold and diamonds exportation.Now that i am about to end the race like this,without any family members and no Child to inherit my wealth,I have 7 Million US DOLLARS kept in A Finance House in The Netherlands I have instructed the bank to send 3 Million to St Andrews Missionary Home in Ivory Coast.But my mind is not at rest because i am writingg this letter now through the help of my computer beside my sick bed as I want to be of help to any body who will gladly help me accomplish my aim by distributing the remaining money to charity,based on that I want you to take 2Million for your efforts and input,while you distribute the remaining 2Million to Charity.I will direct you to my lawyer as soon as I hear from you with your full contact details.Note all correspondent must go through mariamcamara2030@aol.com .
Mrs Mariam Shaqee
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Anti-fraud resources:
