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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:
- "nigeria national petroleum corporation" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- 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.
- mike_hill145@yahoo.co.uk (Yahoo, United Kingdom; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Center Alert <ayamail41@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Mon, 2 Aug 2010 10:11:39 +0800 (HKT)
Subject: Re:DR MIKE HILL PLEASE URGENT
AM THE CHIEF ACCOUNTANT OF
THE NIGERIA NATIONAL PETROLEUM
(NNPC) LAGOS, NIGERIA.
ALLTERNATIVE EMAIL : mike_hill145@yahoo.co.uk
Sir
I and my senior colleagues in corporation have the sum of $26m twenty six million US dollar which we got from over-inflated contracts awarded to foreign contractors in the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation N.N.P.C.We are seeking your permission to transfer this money into your account. This money will be shared between you and partners here in Nigeria.Your commission will be
30% of the total sum 10% will be mapped out to offset any expenses incurred during transaction.
Please let me know if you are interested in this business by above Email address.More details of this business will be sent to you on hearing from you.
For effective communication in this transaction, please send me your
confidential telephone and fax number including
private home or mobile number.
I will send to you my confidential telephone and fax number on hearing from you Note: This transaction last only 12 working days.
Yours Faithfully.
Dr MIKE HILL
Please call me on this private telephone number:234-80-85953017
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Anti-fraud resources:
