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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:
- "the consignment" (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)
- "consignment " (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)
- "waiting for your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- 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.
- sgtmargaretramirez36@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: MARGARET RAMIREZ <sgtmargaretramirez36@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 4 Sep 2014 16:24:01 -0700
Subject: URGENT AND CONFIDENTIAL
URGENT AND
CONFIDENTIAL
GREETINGS.
FROM: SGT MARGARET RAMIREZ.
EMAIL: sgtmargaretramirez36@gmail.com
My name is, Sgt MARGARET RAMIREZ Female American Military Army
Materiel Command Serving in Afghanistan presently. I am here to
negotiate with you on a possible transfer of USD$7Million to you for
safe -keeps and Investments.
I made the money from an oil business I did in Afghanistan with an
Afghanistan Top citizen. I need a good partner who I can trust to
assist me in receiving the consignment on my behalf. All arrangement
to bring out the consignment from Afghanistan has being concluded with
a United Nations diplomat. I need someone who can receive it since I
cannot receive it directly due to my status.
I am offering you 30% of the total sum for your assistance and the 70%
will be transferred to my account which I will instruct you in my next
email to you on how it will be transferred to my account. Your own
part of this deal is to find a safe place where the funds can be sent
to.
If you are interested I will furnish you with more details. But the
whole process is simple and we must keep a low profile at all times.
The best mode of communication to me is through e-mail. I look forward
to your reply and co-operation, and I thank you in advance as I
anticipate your co-operation waiting for your urgent response. Contact
me direct to my above e-mail above you read this Mail.
Here I attached copy of my photo for your view.
Thanks for your understanding. Best Regard, MARGARET RAMIREZ
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