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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:
- "a diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist 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.
- mrizugoro@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Kwame Tuffour" <dwaldridge@prudentialhvac.com>
Reply-To: <mrizugoro@yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 21 Mar 2016 14:07:50 +0800
Subject: Your email address were among......
Attn:
This is to inform you that your email address were among the list to be
compensated from the Ghanian Government, which your credited BANK DRAFT
sum of ($2.5Million) has been converted into ATM-MasterCard and register
with a diplomat for delivery to your nominated address.
Kindly contact your assigned administrator through the below email
address with your full name, phone number (reachable number) and
delivery address for details.
Agent : Morris Ugoro
Email: mrizugoro@yahoo.com
Tel: +233 231417261
All modalities for the immediate release of your payment and delivery of
your ATM (MasterCard) have been employed already so do write to Mr. Morris Ugoro at once and ensure you include your above personal details.
Best regards,
Mr. Kwame Tuffour.
Information Minister (Republic of Ghana)
NOTE: Under normal circumstances, all beneficiaries are mandated to
travel down to the Africa Regional office with valid identifications to
sign the release documents in person However, the Finance Ministry has
insists on you securing a non Appearance Approval Letter so as to
Cut-short Traveling expenses and stress of traveling over to Africa. The
non appearance clearance/approval slip attracts a fee of $170.00 only.
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Anti-fraud resources:
