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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million united state dollars" (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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- 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.
- pastorpeterjames122@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: sandrakangara <sandrakangara@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 2 Aug 2010 20:24:25 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: For Your Compensation
For Your Compensation
Dear friend,
I am very happy to inform you about my success in
getting that fund.I am presently in Japan with my New partners, i have kept aside the Sum of ($1.9 Million United state Dollars on your Behalf.
Now I want you to contact my
Pastor on the information below:
Name:Pastor peter james, Ask him to send to you the total sum of
($1.9m) US Dollars in a bank draft which I kept for
your compensation.So contact him immediately on his
e-mail: (pastorpeterjames122@gmail.com)Tel +22993946803 and send him the
below information to enable him deliver your bank
draft to you.
1.Your Full Name.........
2.Your Address...........
3.Your Tel Number.......
4.Occupation and Age.......
5.Country__________
Regards,
Sandra Kangara
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Anti-fraud resources:
