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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:
- "% commission" (Beware of any scheme that involves depositing checks or money orders or receiving wire transfers in your bank account and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere, for a percentage of 5-15% of the total. Such offers are *always* fraudulent and you will be liable for the entire amount when the checks, money orders or wire transfers turn out to be fraudulent. Any money already forwarded comes out of *your* pocket then. )
- "(ecowas)" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- "ecowas " (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr.Kenneth Opoku" <mrmartinsford@gmail.com>
Reply-To: kenopoku01@yahoo.com
Date: Wed, 19 Feb 2014 03:56:33 -0800
Subject: Attn:CEO/President
Attn:CEO/President,
We are looking for a reliable suppliers to supply to the Economic
Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The ECOWAS has Published
their 2013\2014 Annual Projects, your products will be needed in large
quantity.I will appreciate if you Can furnish us in full details about
the standard of your products. Our Company deals with so many items
under some vital category:
1.Representation of Oversea Company during Trade Fair Exhibition,
2. Importation
3. Contract Supply.
However,Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) will
appreciate it more if you can give us with detail specification/price
lists to avoid making a wrong choice of products. We are looking for
manufacturers whose products are of good qualities. We need different
kinds of Products to purchase.
I am an accredited Agent registered with ECOWAS on contract
allocations, I am entitle to 2% commission from the total contract sum
as soon as the total contract fund is paid into your account.Their
payment method is 80% down payment while 20% will be pay before
Shipment.Let me know if you are interested so that we can start
negotiating the proceedings.
Thanks and have a a wonderful day.
Regards,
Mr.Kenneth Opoku
CEO (President)
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Anti-fraud resources:
