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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- ",000,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- "celinefischer@religions.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- 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.
- celinefischer@hotmail.co.uk (Hotmail, United Kingdom; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: MRS CELINE FISCHER <celinefischer@religions.com>
Date: Wed, 24 Nov 2010 07:35:42 -0800 (PST)
Subject: GREETINGS TO MY DEAR BELOVED.
Greetings,
I am Mrs Celine Fischer a citizen of Switzerland. I am married to Late Thomas Fischer of blessed memory, Since his death I have been battling with both Cancer of the lungs and fibroid problems. While he was alive, he deposited a substantial amount of money worth £12,000,000.00 (Twelve Million Great Britain Pounds) with a Financial Institution here in the United Kingdom which I inherited after his death. I have only two(2) months to live due to my unfortunate ailment. I decided to hand over this funds to a devoted God's fearing individual that will utilize this money for charity purpose and to help the needy the way i am going to instruct therein.
As soon as I receive your reply on Email: (celinefischer@religions.com or celinefischer@hotmail.co.uk ) my dreams will rest squarely on your shoulders.
Remain blessed.
Mrs Celine Fischer.
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Anti-fraud resources:
