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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:
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- 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.
- gladysoliver4life@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs. Helen Wanton" <mrshelenwanton@yahoo.com.ph>
Date: Thu, 1 Dec 2011 17:12:47 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: IT IS READY FOR DELIVERY TO YOU
Attn:Beneficiary,
I just receive a call from the Director of courier company that the ATM Visa Card that was sent to you was returned due to wrong address.
This ATM Visa card contained your 10.5Million united state dollar, Your Contract funds file in your favor. Therefore contact the Director (Gladys Oliver) on Email:{gladysoliver4life@gmail.com}and gives her
your current full information for the delivery, Use this code (XA-8550) as the subject of your mail to them for identification.
Yours Truly.
Mrs. Helen Wanton.
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Anti-fraud resources:
