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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.
- 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.
- juleneellefson@centrum.cz (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Julene Ellefson <juleneellefson@yahoo.com.ph>
Reply-To: juleneellefson@centrum.cz
Date: Sat, 19 Nov 2011 01:46:26 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: Attn:Bearer.
Attn:Bearer.
Am Mrs,Julene Ellefson from Libya and a close friend to the troubled President.He mandated me before death to look for an individual whom he can use his or her name to transfer some money to as beneficiary out side Libya.As for me i think this is my opportunity since he is dead and no one knows about the discussion i had with him on this issue of getting someone to stand as a beneficiary.I have direct access to the bank where the money is deposited in Italy.I hope you understand that this is pure deal and note that 10% of total sum will be accorded to you for your help.You already know the trouble Muammar Gaddafi is in,so 100% secrecy is needed please.If you can be of help please kindly write me back for follow up and mode of transfer.Yours faithfully.
Mrs,Julene Ellefson
Please send reply to{juleneellefson@centrum.cz}
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Anti-fraud resources:
