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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:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "% 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. )
- 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.
- mr.johnoburu@hotmail.com (Hotmail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr.John Oburu" <r.pet00004@gmail.com>
Reply-To: mr.johnoburu@hotmail.com
Date: Wed, 18 Feb 2015 07:39:59 +0000
Subject: SUPPLY INQUIRY
Dear Sir/Madam,
We are respectfully inquiring if your company will be interested to
supply your products to the government of Ghana on contract basis with
us as the intermediary agent?. There is an on-going tender for the
purchase of your products in large quantity. Kindly send us your
products price list and specifications to enable us give you the
required quantities.Contact us by mail if you are interested for
details.This Tender is open to Foreign suppliers whose company
products meet international standards.Your products are needed by the
government on contract supply basis.
We receive 2% commission from the seller/contractor in any successful
government contract generated by us.Their Payment method: An upfront
payment of 80% (T/T) will be made to your account for production,
while 20% will be paid before shipment.
I am an accredited commission agent,waiting for your quick response.
Best Regards
Mr.John Oburu.
(Agent)
Plot 264 Link Road
Email:(mr.johnoburu@hotmail.com)
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Anti-fraud resources:
