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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.
- 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.
- 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.
- encoreoil77@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Encore Oil Plc <info@mail.com>
Reply-To: encoreoil77@hotmail.com
Date: Fri, 18 Jun 2010 08:10:55 +0300
Subject:
Attention:
The management of EnCore Oil plc in England requires your
representation for our North American delinquent customers.
We are of the opinion that a reputable person is required to represent
us in North America in order for us to recover monies due to our
organization by overseas customers, and as well follow up with these
accounts.
In order to achieve these objectives a good and reputable person like
you will be required to handle this service.
We understand that a proper agreement must be entered into by both parties.
This will be done immediately we receive your letter of acceptance.
Your question regarding this proposal is welcome. Once more thank you
for taking time from your busy schedule to read this mail.
James Clark (Commercial Director)
EnCore Oil plc
62-64 Baker Street
London W1U 7DF
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7224 4546
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7935 1224
Email: encoreoil77@hotmail.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
