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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:
- 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.
- 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.
- ademolarichards@yahoo.fr (Yahoo, France; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "ADEMOLA RICHARD" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <ademolarichards@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2010 10:37:07 -0000
Subject: CONTACT UPS FOR YOUR SAFE DELIVERY
I'm happy to inform you about my success in getting those funds
transferred under the co-operation of a new partner from Portugal.
Presently I'm in Portugal for investment projects with my own share
of the total sum.
It may interest you to note that I didn't forget your past efforts
and attempts to assist me in transferring the funds though you were
not able to see it through for whatever reasons. After due
consideration, I have decided to compensate you for your efforts.
I have issued a check of $1,200,000 for you and had to drop it with
United Parcel Service (UPS) United kingdom and you are to contact them with
the following information as stated below for re-affirmation and to
ensure a safe delivery.
Full Name: ...........................
Address: .............................
Phone Number: ........................
Occupation............................
Age...................................
Note that the shipment fee and the insurance of the check as been
paid by me and the only fee you will be required to pay is $230
being the security charges for duration the check has been in their
possession. I would have made the payment but I do not know when
you will get in touch with them as the charges increases with the
amount of days they secure it. Endeavour to contact them immediately
before the security charge increases with days.
You are to contact them with the information as stated below
and note that the only fee you are to pay is the Security Charges
which is $230 as every other fees has been paid.
United Parcel Service United Kingdom
EMAIL: ademolarichards@yahoo.fr
I'm very busy here because of the investment projects which I
and my partner are involved in. Note that I have instructed
UPS on your behalf to this effect. Get in touch with them and
they will ensure you get the check.
Thanks once again for all you effort during the course of the
transfer
CEO FIDELIS INVESTMENT LIMITED
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