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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:
- "hundred thousand united state 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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "dear beneficiary," (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
- 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.
- robertehis55@yahoo.com.hk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "YUHSIU" <YUHSIU@kbronet.com.tw>
Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2012 14:33:13 +0800
Subject: Kindly reply to : robertehis55@yahoo.com.hk
Dear Beneficiary,
My Name is Terence McCulley current United State Ambassador to Nigeria. I
have your details as one of the Beneficiary of the Sum of Five Hundred
Thousand United State Dollars ($500,000.00) i will appreciate you to get back
to me through my personal Assistance to clear you and verify your identity if
you are actually the person we have his details.
In claiming your funds, you will need send us the followings :
Full Name :
Scanned identIty :
Direct Telephone Number :
Age :
Occupation :
Nationality :
Note : Because of the present day Internet Fraud, the United Nation gave us 5
workng days to process and pay you after which you can no longer claim your
funds and your funds is to be transfered in two ways either through Diplomatic
procedures or through Wire Transfer.
Kindly reply to : robertehis55@yahoo.com.hk
Terence McCulley
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Anti-fraud resources:
