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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)
- "trunk box" (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)
- "trunk boxes" (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.
- woodedlo@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Nicolas Ben <050nicolasben@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 25 Dec 2013 22:44:00 +0000
Subject: Get back to me
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Dear Friend,
This message might meet you in utmost surprise. However, it's just my
urgent need for foreign partner that made me to contact you. My name is
woodedlo Amos son of late Lt.eulud Benson Alafia who was murdered on 15
march at Tripoli Intelligence Compound, the problem (war) in my country
which have already claim the life of thousand as such I am running away
with the remaining family out of (Tripoli) Libya.
Nevertheless, I have the sum of $11.5 million that was concealed in a Two
Trunk Boxes and deposited with a Private Security Company in the Republic
of Ghana and I herein need someone like you to assist me by standing as the
Owner and Beneficiary of the aforementioned Fund.
I will give you 15% out of the total cash. Please Keep it secret as we want
to come there and live quietly without people noticing that we have come
with huge fortune. I have also map out 5% for charity. Remember your reply
will help the family along way. please contact me with this emaill if you
are interested at woodedlo@yahoo.com
Thanks
Amos
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Anti-fraud resources:
