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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:
- "million 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)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
- 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.
- williamtata77@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
- barrister william tata cell+233549948655 email:williamtata77@gmail.com for more details. love mrs.koffi amoah (Gmail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs.Koffi Amoah" <kherli@bpfk.gov.my>
Reply-To: "Mrs.Koffi Amoah" <koffi.amoah2@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 19 May 2011 03:05:25 +0800 (MYT)
Subject: Re: Humanitarian Request
--
My name is Mrs.Koffi Amoah, I am a dying woman who has decided to donate what I have to charity through you.
You may be wondering why I choose you.But someone has to be chosen i am a dying woman with cancer,I have a charitable offer of $21million Dollars.Do Contact my family attorney.
Barrister William Tata
Cell+233549948655
Email:williamtata77@gmail.com
For more details.
Love
Mrs.Koffi Amoah
Email:koffi.amoah2@gmail.com
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This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.
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Anti-fraud resources:
