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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.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "hundred thousand united states 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)
- "30% for you " (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)
- "contract award committee" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- 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.
- paulezezz@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Dr. Paul Eze" <paulezezz@yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 23 Jun 2011 10:59:01 -0400
Subject: Award Committee
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am the Chairman of the Contract Award Committee, Federal Ministry of Gold
and Mine Resources BENIN REPUBLIC, I am in search of an agent to assist us in
the transfer (US$12.2M) TWELVE MILLION,TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATES
DOLLARS. And subsequent investment in properties in your country.You will be
required to:
(1) Assist in the transfer of the said sum
(2) Advise on lucrative areas for investment
(3) Assist us in purchase of properties in your country.
If you decide to render your service to us you can E-mail me at my private
email:paulezezz@yahoo.com and in this WE HAVE AGREED TO SHARE THE MONEY AS
FOLLLOWS: 30% for you 60% for us and 10% for any expences that may occur
during the transaction if it interest you kindly send me your private
Telephone, Fax number and Email for easy commnuication.
Respectfully,
Dr. Paul EZE
Chairman Contract Award Committee {CCAC}
Email:paulezezz@yahoo.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
