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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)
- ",000,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "united state of america" (this email uses bad English)
- "certified bank draft" (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 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.
- judeokoh01@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs. Abacha" <johnmac0111@i12.com>
Reply-To: jdong@i12.com
Date: Mon, 15 Feb 2010 04:48:39 -0800 (PST)
Subject: INTERNATIONAL CERTIFIED BANK DRAFT
Good day
You may be surprise reading this email. I'm happy to inform you about my success in getting those funds transferred under the cooperation of Mr. Xing Hu from China. Presently I'm in China for investment projects with my own share of the total sum. meanwhile,i didn't forget your past efforts and attempts to assist me in transferring those funds despite that it failed us some how.
I have authorized Mr Jude Okoh where I deposited my money to issue you international certified bank draft cash able at your bank. My dear friend I want you to contact Mr.Jude Okoh for the collection of this international certified bank draft. The name and contact address of the Mr. Jude Okoh is as follows.
Name: Mr.Jude Okoh
Email: judeokoh01@gmail.com
I have left the whole instruction to him on your behalf to send you the sum of $2,000,000.00 United State Of America Dollars without any delay for your compensation.
NOTE: THIS IS THE INFORMATION YOU TO FORWARD TO MY SECRETARY MR. JUDE OKOH.
YOUR FULL NAME....................................
YOUR ADDRESS......................................
YOUR COUNTRY.....................................
YOUR CITY............................................
YOUR TELEPHONE NUMBER......................
In this moment, I'm very busy here in China because of the investment projects which I am having at hands with my new partner.So feel free to get in touch with my secretary his name is MR. JUDE OKOH,so that he will send the International Certified Bank Draft to you without any delay.
Yours Sincerely
Mrs. Abacha
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