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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:
- "may come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "hundred thousand united states 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.
- catherinelaude0@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Catherine Claude <mrspatriciaknewi2020@gmail.com>
Reply-To: catherinelaude0@yahoo.com
Date: Thu, 15 Aug 2013 20:56:18 +0100
Subject: Dearest Beloved One,Urgent Mail From Miss Catherine Claude.
>From Catherine Claude
Accra - Ghana
Good Day,
My name is Catherine Claude, an Ivoirean national but living presently
in Accra-Ghana after the crises that ousted President Laurent Gbagbo
from power on the 28th of November 2010. I know this letter may come
to you as a surprise but i am writing you with utmost confidence and
trust regarding the sum of (US $ 3.5 Million) Three Million Five
Hundred Thousand United States Dollars inherited from my late father,
a cocoa, gold merchant and a contractor who helped the former
President of Ivory Coast in moving most of his funds out of the
country.
I wish to invest in your country if i can have your assured support
and willingness to help me sincerely since you are living in a more
peaceful country. I will be giving you 30% of the total money in
appreciation for your assistance.
Kindly get back to me if my proposal interests you. My appreciation
goes to you as you indicate your willingness to help me so i can give
you a detailed explanation about the proposal.Please Reply To This
E-Mail: catherinelaude0@yahoo.com
Thanks in anticipation and looking forward to your sincere response.
Yours beloved,
Miss Catherine Claude.
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