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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:
- "loan amount" (Beware of fake loan offers. Real lenders would not normally use free webmail addresses such as Yahoo, nor would they lend to individuals or small businesses in a different country from where they are based. Beware of mobile phones or redirector numbers!)
- 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.
- +447005938210 (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.
- jamescolefinaid@hotmail.com (Hotmail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr James Cole.Loan offer" <britshalomloanolender@gmail.com>
Reply-To: jamescolefinaid@hotmail.com
Date: Wed, 02 Jun 2010 19:31:46 -0300
Subject:
Good day,
Our company is currently giving out discount of to people who are in need
of loan at 3% interest rate for the period of 1st of may to 31
December 2010.So
while don't you apply for the offer while it last.
If you are interested in this offer kindly fill this application form so that
we can start processing you loan immediately.
Your Name _______________________
Your address _____________________
Your country _____________________
Your Occupation ___________________
Loan amount needed _______________
Sex________________________________
Loan duration _____________________
Monthly Income ___________________
Your Phone Number _____________
Cell Phone Number___________________
Best Regards,
James Cole.
102 Prince Lane UK.
Email:jamescolefinaid@hotmail.com
Phone:08432893390
Fax:+447005938210
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Anti-fraud resources:
