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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:
- "mtcn" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "diplomatic agent" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "cotonou" (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 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.
- mrwilfred1986@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "International diplomatic agent." <barr.barrmikeike.mlke240@gmail.com>
Reply-To: mrwilfred1986@yahoo.fr
Date: Mon, 4 Jul 2011 23:47:53 +0530 (IST)
Subject: I am agent Wilfred :(404) 585 - 8759
Good Morning To you And Your Family I hope All Are Well.
I have arrived at Atlanta usa now With your funds of $9.9million usa dollars
after one delivery i have made in york to One Mr larry Matins with this his address: 499 East 34th Street, New York, NY 10016-4972 :Category: Airport Transit: 33 Stand I will be entering your city in next 4 hrs. but for the securities here they are demanding for ownership
Representative papers. So to present to them do send me
your full information before I can move further with your picture. Here is my cell phone to contact me..(404) 585-8759 clicks here to know
the area where I am at http://www.visitingdc.com/airports/atlanta-airport-address.aspSo you have to contact me with this email address: mrwilfred1986@yahoo.fr
The fee to obtain the Representative papers is only $53.
here's area where you are to send the fees:
receivers name....Mr Eze Chinedu:
country where to obtain the papers:Benin Republic.
city..........cotonou:
amount........$53.00
text Q........god
answer.......blessed.
mtcn.........
senders name......the benin is where the papers will be obtain for your own Clarification and secure.Contact me for more information regarding your funds. Thanks
I am agent Wilfred :(404) 585-8759
International diplomatic agent.
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Anti-fraud resources:
