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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:
- "your urgent reply" (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.
- paulmartins1111@hotmail.com (Hotmail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Paul Martins <pm3866x@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 27 Mar 2015 23:09:59 -0700
Subject: Please reply urgent!
Hi Dear,
Nice reaching you with this humble proposal .If It is well then I will
furnish you with all paper work. I am Paul Martins working with my Father
in a reach Gold Mining farm in my country Republic Of Ghana.
Before my father was assassinated by some unknown enemies,We have some
good cash with a finance company in Ghana and I shall want you to advice me
how I can invest this cash in your country. The amount is over USD$
[19.700.000 million].
This money is of no criminal origin as it was released from the alluvial
gold dust sold when my father was the Chief of Sekondi-Obuasi Western
Region of Ghana.Now I have decided to invest these money in your country or
anywhere safe enough outside Africa for security and political reasons.I
urge that you help me to transfer this fund to your country for investment
purposes on the followings below:
1). Telecommunication
2). Real Estate/Five star hotel
If you can be of an honest and sincere assistance to me in
selling/investing, i will be pleased to offer to you 25% Of the total fund
for your kind and humane assistance. I will need the following
information’s,Your full name Direct telephone numbers Direct contact
address of office or house, I shall want to entrust your with this cash. As
soon as I hear from you I will give you the contact of the security
company so that you can verify yourself before we precede .Waiting your
urgent reply.
Thanks and God Bless You.
Yours Sincerely,
Paul Martins.
paulmartins1111@hotmail.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
