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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:
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- 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.
- stv_allan45@yahoo.co.uk (Yahoo, United Kingdom; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Usman yusuf <usmyusuf5@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 19 Jan 2012 12:41:58 -0800
Subject: READ AND ADVICE
Sir
I wish to inform you that your contract payment have been approved
under category (C) you shall receive your payment under Federal
ministry of health.
US$6.4m shall be paid to you as part payment. You are advice to
contact the payment office with your contact information address /
telephone number to avoid paying into wrong hands.
Payment Officer,
Mr S Allan
stv_allan45@yahoo.co.uk
Reply as soon as possible for an immediate conclusion.
Thank you.
USMAN YUSUF.
DEBT MANAGEMENT OFFICE
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Anti-fraud resources:
