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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "i will like you to " (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)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
- 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.
- julistaboye01@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: utbfinancedepartment utbtg <utbtg.finance@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 2 Dec 2013 20:53:50 +0430
Subject: Since I have been unsuccessful in locating any of his relatives,
Dear Friend
I am Mrs JULISTA BOYE,a banker in charge of auditing and accounting
section of the Bank. I would like you to indicate your interest to receive
the transfer of $6.6 Million Dollars. I will like you to stand as the next
of kin to our late customer whose account is presently dormant for long.
Since I have been unsuccessful in locating any of his relatives, I
would like you
to stand as the next of kin since you are a foreigner so that the bank can
release the fund to your account. It is important you get in touch with me
urgently through my private email address below to enable us commence
action.
Regards,
Mrs JULISTA BOYE
julistaboye01@yahoo.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
