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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.
- 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 friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "await your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "monrovia" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "liberia" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- 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.
- jewel_howard@minister.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Senator Jewel H.T" <senatorjewel@gmail.com>
Reply-To: <jewel_howard@minister.com>
Date: Sat, 18 Apr 2015 18:56:14 -0500
Subject: PREFFERED ASSISTANCE>>>
--
Dear Friend, I am Senator Jewel Howard-Taylor based in Monrovia here
the
capital of Liberia. This fund investment belongs to me and my husband
the
ex-President of my Country Liberia. Mr. Charles Taylor and I have
decided
to look for reliable some One to help us invest this fund over there in
he/her Country. The said fund investment amount $35 Million-USD is been
assigned by me and my husband for investment project in your country.
Please i need a partner who can handle my project; i want to invest in
properties /real estate. Here we do find it hard to trust people who
can
help us in foreign land. Please let's just achieve a common business
goal
with you as partner. I want to believe that we can build a cordial
business
relationship. 10% of the total sum has been assigned as per your share
for
the assistance. I shall visit you with my Son for the investment, once
the
fund hits your account for the onward investment. Kindly get back to me
with the following information of yours to enable me start the
processing.
Your Full name & Age: -----Contact Address: ---------Contact Telephone:
------Occupation & Position: -------- Above all, I wish to assure you
that
the fund in question is not an act of Terrorist Funding or
Drug-funding.
Thus, the transfer will follow the normal protocol of funds transfer,
backed up with its papers so that you will not encounter any
difficulties/problem with your Federal Monetary Control authorities. I
await your urgent response. Reply via this
email:jewel_howard@minister.com
Thanks and God bless Best Regard Senator Jewel Howard-Taylor. (Ex-
First
Lady of Liberia).
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