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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:
- "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)
- 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.
- georgegodwin22@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: George Godwin <gggodwin224@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 28 Nov 2011 10:45:30 +0000
Subject: Dear Friend
This is an official legal notice of an unclaimed fund left by Mr.Anderson
S,who died as a result of an industrial accident in his energy & gas
exploration company on the 31st of March 2008
As the former official/personal attorney of the deceased and witness of
fact of this subject matter, I hereby solicit for your immediate response
and positive committed efforts to facilitate the fund remittal of total sum
$2.5 million dollars(and Gold).
May his fragile soul rest in perfect peace, Amen!!!
If you want to know more, get back to me so I will give you more
information to proceed.
My ID;georgegodwin22@hotmail.com
Yours Sincerely
George Godwin,
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Anti-fraud resources:
