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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.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "levy " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "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.
- mrsgladysl@yahoo.co.uk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Dr. Jimmy Mark." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrsgladysl@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Fri, 20 Apr 2012 13:18:57 -0500
Subject: Dear Good friend(I DIDN'T FORGET YOU)
Dear Good friend
I did not forgot your past effort and attempts to assist me, now I'm happy to inform you that I have succeeded in getting the fifty million dollars transferred under co-operation of a new partner from Japan and I am right now in Japan for investment purpose which am not sure yet of my date of return so it might take some little time before you will hear back from me .
However, I kept $6.400.000 aside for your compensation and Share for your support as i promise to meet up with my words as agreed so I have instructed my paying bank Barclays Bank in london release the funds to you soon as my agent has direct you on how to obtained an irrevocable payment guarantee Permit for your compensation through their new ATM VISA CARD system which you can use to withdraw your compensation of $6.400.000 through any ATM machine.
Therefore, you are advised to contact my Agent who will direct and instruct you on what you need to do and what it require to claim your payment so kindly contact my agent via the below contact details.
Seceretary (Paymaster Agency) UK
Mrs Gladys Levy
E-mail Address: (mrsgladysl@yahoo.co.uk)
I wish you best of luck and i really appreciate your past effort so do note hesitate to contact my cashier agent through the above contact information.
Thank you once again my good friend, May God establishes you with this little compensation in Jesus name Amen.
You’re sincerely,
Dr. Jimmy Mark.
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