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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:
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "dear beneficiary," (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
- "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.
- draugustinedike@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "DR AUGUSTINE DIKE" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <draugustinedike@hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 23 Aug 2010 16:03:10 -0700
Subject: INVESTIGATION ON YOUR PAYMENT FILE
Nigeria Investigation Bureau
Presidential Committee on Foreign Payments
12A, Awolowo Lane, Ikoyi
Lagos, Nigeria.
Dear Beneficiary,
INVESTIGATION ON YOUR PAYMENT FILE
This is to notify you that a Lady Call Mrs. Sandra France from New York came to my office this morning stated that you sent her to claim 10.5 million United State Dollar on your behalf. Note that she make it clear to us that you have been in hospital over 2 years now, so you decide to send her to represent you as your rightful beneficiary of the Funds.
In regards to this, this office wants to know if you authorize this Lady Call Mrs. Sandra France to receive your Payment of 10.5 Million United State Dollar on your behalf. You are giving only 24 hours to get back to this Office if you authorize Mrs. Sandra France to represent You Or Not.
Finally: Make sure that you call this office as soon as you receive this e-mail. +234-8181294239
Your immediate respond is highly needed.
DR AUGUSTINE DIKE (Chief Investigation Officer)
E-mail Reply To:- draugustinedike@hotmail.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
