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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 friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- 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.
- frewats@yahoo.co.uk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Salim Frewat" (may be fake)
Date: Wed, 2 Nov 2011 22:46:31 -0700
Subject: Investment
Dear Friend,
I am Mr. Salim Frewat, A united Nation Humanitarian Philanthropist. But based
in U.K. I have been diagnosed with Cancer which was discovered very late, due
to my laxity in caring for my health. It has defiled all forms of medicine,
Right now I have only about a few months to live, according to my Medical
Doctor.
The last of my money which no one knows of is the huge cash deposit of $3 million
that I have in the United Nation Security Vault in United Kingdom for safe keeping.
I want you to collect this deposit on my behalf and disburse half Please send me a mail
to indicate your wiliness to assist in this. I need your urgent reply so that I will
not have to go on sourcing for a credible person to handle this project. I look forward
to hear from you soon. God bless you.
Mr. Salim Frewat
Email: frewats@yahoo.co.uk
00447014234758
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Anti-fraud resources:
