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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:
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
- 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.
- mrlee.maha@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr.Lee Maha" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrleemaha@megamail.pt>
Date: Fri, 23 Apr 2010 10:13:44 -0700
Subject: Good Partner/CAN I TRUST YOU.
Dear Partner,
I am Barrister Mr Lee Maha ,To Late MR.Lee Shaw Wee deposited US$15M with a BANK in my country Thailand before he died.I promise to give you 40% of the total funds transferred to your vital bank account as compensation for your assistance.I have all the neccessary and valid documents that will backup this claim.I wait to receive your information below as soon as you get back to me as follows.
Full name
Contact address,
Tel & fax
Your Age
Occupation
Furthermore,to affirm your willingness to work with me.Please you should have to understand that this transaction as 100% risk free
and also you should have to get back to me as soon as possible reply here ( mrlee.maha@yahoo.com
Regards
Barrister Mr Lee Maha
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Anti-fraud resources:
