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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:
- "huge sum of money" (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)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
- 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.
- mr.stephen_dome1@yahoo.it (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Stephen Dome" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mr.stephen_dome@yahoo.it>
Date: Sat, 18 Dec 2010 09:13:37 +0100
Subject: Dear Assist me.
Dear Assist me.
I am Mr.Stephen Dome working with International Commercial Bank Ghana As the director in charge of
auditing and accounting section. During our investigation and auditing in this bank, my department came
across a very huge sum of money belonging to Mr. Aaron Dashiell a deceased person who died an auto
accident on the 31st of July, 2006 .
This fund has been dormant in his account with this Bank without any claim of the fund in our custody
either from his family or relation before our discovery to this development. Valued at US$9.5million.
Meanwhile all the whole arrangement to put claim over this fund as the next of kin to the deceased,
get the required approval and transfer this money to a foreign account has been put in place and directives
and needed information will be relayed to you as soon as you indicate your interest and willingness to assist
us and also benefit your self to this great business opportunity Upon receipt of your response I will give you
the details of this transaction.
I have all necessary paperwork required to back you up for the claim.
Note that this claim is legitimate. I await your prompt response.
Best Regards,
Mr.Stephen Dome
Alternative email: mr.stephen_dome1@yahoo.it
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Anti-fraud resources:
