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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:
- 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:
- "dear beloved," (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "mrsalisonbaker@live.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a "dying widow" scam.
Fraud email example:
From: "Baker" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrsalisonbaker@live.com>
Date: Fri, 6 Jul 2012 14:07:38 +0100
Subject: From Mrs Alison Scherman Baker
Dear Beloved,
I am sending you this email in good faith ,I am Mrs Alison Scherman Baker, Now undergoing medical treatment of cancer. I was married to (Eng Petersen Scherman Baker who worked with the Oil Rich Firm Company here in Benin Rep Cotonou for many years before his death in 2008 we both made a deposit of some amount of money worth $6.5 Million Dollars in a safe deposit box with a finance Institution here in Benin Rep Cotonou .
My Doctor told me that i have few months to live due to my illness . having knowing my condition I have decided to Donate this funds $ 6.5 Million Dollars to you so that you can use it for Humanitarian in your country to help the less privileges while the rest goes to you and your family .
With the help of my family Pastor and my doctor will issue you a letter of Authority .For the Institution making the Beneficiary of the deposit funds in your name.Complete your address information how you want this funds transfer to you immediately.
Kindly indicate your Interest for the details. YOUR ADDRESS WHERE YOU WANT THIS FUNDS TO BE SEND TO YOU.
Best Regards
Contact me here on my private Email (mrsalisonbaker@live.com)
Mrs Alison Scherman Baker
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Anti-fraud resources:
