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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:
- "consignment " (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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +447024080595 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
- 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.
- standfordsec1@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "SP.DAVID GERALD" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <metropoliceuk@gazeta.pl>
Date: Tue, 4 May 2010 13:38:34 -0700
Subject: ATTN:CONTACT ROBERT LAWSON.
SP.DAVID GERALD
DIVISIONAL HEAD ANTI FRAUD UNIT
METROPOLITAN POLICE LONDON UK
MOTTO:WORKING TOGETHER FOR A SAFER LONDON
TELL: +447-024-080-595
ATTN: BENEFICIARY
This is to inform you that your long over due payment in Africa and
Europe has been transferred to Stanford Finance Securities in the
United State of America as a consignment via dilpomatic means. You are
therefore advise to contact Mr. Robert Lawson for the immediate release
of your consignment and please update us so that we can set our record
straight with the F.B.I.
We have also considered lots of interception that has transpired all
this while and Mr Edward Ground of the Federal Bereau of Intelligence
has advised that all beneficiary must contact only Mr. Robert Lawson
for their claims.
Finally, you are advised to contact him immediately and and work with
him alone while you give me all update for your interest and
security.All further correspondence to Robert Lawson
Stanford Finance Securities:
Officer Incharge: Robert Lawson.
Fax:(206)-202-3152
Email:standfordsec1@hotmail.com
101 Olive Way Seattle WA 98101
Yours in Service,
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Anti-fraud resources:
