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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:
- 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)
- "million 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.
- victorjonesvj@yahoo.com.au (Yahoo, Australia; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
- victorjonesvj@yahoo.com.au * *tel:+233 24 550 7839dear , compliments of the day.forgive my indignation if this (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Victor Jones <victorj095@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 10 Jul 2014 23:09:23 +0100
Subject: I WANT TO INVEST WITH YOU:
victorjonesvj@yahoo.com.au <vitorjones@yahoo.dk> *
*Tel:+233 24 550 7839Dear , Compliments of the day.Forgive my indignation
if this message may come to you as a surprise and if it might offend you
without your prior consent and writing through this medium. I am Victor
Jones Esq. I want to invest in your Country with the sum of
US$21.5M,valuable gold worth $18 million United States dollars under your
care and supervision.I was a former REGIONAL ADMINSTRATOR and a gold
merchant in Ghana and a Prince who needs protection for his family. If you
can handle such a huge sum for investment into a profitable with low risk
business,please get back to me as soon as possible for further briefing on
the investment plan and agreement procedure.I shall also give you direct
contact information of Executive Director in charge of payment to enable
you deal with him direct without interference from me. Kindly reply to the
below email adds with your business profile to enable me advise you
accordingly,and do not forget to include your telephone contacts for easy
communication. Thank you.Victor Jones Esq*
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Anti-fraud resources:
