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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "western union" (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. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
- 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.
- jigar_james@yahoo.com (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Juan Jumbo <juanjumbo74@yahoo.com.ph>
Date: Fri, 11 Nov 2011 23:03:53 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: Get back to me now
Hello dear beneficiary
We have come to the conclusion that you will now receive your long awaiting payment of $2.5M which has been lying in the western union. We know that you have paid money in the past and yet could not receive your payment.
Now the United Nations and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have finalized that you will now receive your payment without any hitch.
So the only charges you have to pay is $109 which is the attestation prove.
Therefore, the only fee you will pay is $109, I repeat $109 and you will receive your payment.
Now you have to contact the operational officer Mr. James Jigar on this email: jigar_james@yahoo.com
Waiting for your reply
Juan Jumbo
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Anti-fraud resources:
