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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.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- "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 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.
- fokafor2010111@yahoo.com.hk (Yahoo, Hong Kong; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: <fokafor2010111@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Fri, 1 Jan 1988 07:21:10 +0100
Subject: Good News
Hello Dear,
I have paid the fee for your Cheque Draft but the manager of Eko Bank Benin told me that before the check will get to you that it will expire. So I told him to cash $3.5 Million USA Dollars all the necessary arrangement of delivering the $3.5 Million USA Dollars in cash was made with Shallon delivering company. This is the information they need to delivery your package to you, contact them now.
Bellow is the Shallon delivering information's Delivery department managing director
Contact person: Mr Frank Okafor
E-mail: fokafor2010111@yahoo.com.hk
You are advice to Forward all your mailing information to them immediately you receive
this mail.
Your country:.....
Your full name:....
Home address:.......
Mobil phone number:......
Office number:.......
In addition to what i said earlier please, don't disclose the content of the box to them to avoid delay and finally endeavor to indicate this code number (GL-14160) this code will prove that you are the rightful owner of the box deposited VIP box in Their company, use it as your subject when your contacting them.
Thanks and remain bless,
Mr Christopher Williams.
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