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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:
- "a security company " (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. )
- "united state of america" (this email uses bad English)
- "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.
- mrs.caro_christ01@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Caroline Christian <carolinechristian96@yahoo.com.ph>
Date: Thu, 27 Oct 2011 16:59:09 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: Dearest beloved One in Christ:
Dearest beloved One in Christ:
I am Mrs Caroline Christian from United State Of America. (U.S.A) When my late husband was alive: He deposited the sum of (Us9.8m) with a Security Company here in Cotonou, Benin Republic. for safe keeping. I am presently with my laptop in a hospital where i have been undergoing treatment for cancer of the lungs, I have since lost my ability to talk and my doctors have told me that I have only a few months to live.
It is my last wish to see that this money distributed among charity organization. And for your compensation, 5% for any expenses, 10% of the total cash will be for you, while 85% will be for the work of God. I will release all legal documents that will prove you as my beneficiary to my funds.
Please Email me back through my private E-mail Address...... mrs.caro_christ01@yahoo.com
Yours in Christ,
Mrs Caroline Christian.
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Anti-fraud resources:
