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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:
- "a security company " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "hundred thousand united state dollars" (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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- 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.
- christopherjohnson12344567@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Russel William <russelwill1960@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 17 Apr 2016 19:18:38 +0200
Subject: Hello
*Dear Sir,*
*I am writing you this mail to seek your sincere assistance. My name is
Rtd Col.Christopher Johnson. I am attached to the UKTI Defence and Security
Organisation (UKTI DSO) which is UK Joint Delegation to NATO.*
*My colleagues and I need a faithful, trustworthy partner, someone who is
dedicated and committed to duty with trust to receive some funds on our
behalf. It is Legal Oil money which was embezzled by some of the Libya
Government Official during Muammar Gaddafi regime. We have about USD$15.5
Million (Fifteen Million Five Hundred Thousand United State Dollars) ready
to be transferred to you for investment purposes from Libya. The money in
question has been kept with a security company and was declared as personal
effects.*
*Please, do not disclose this deal to anybody as to protect my duties with
the Military; I must keep a low profile at all times. More details
regarding this deal will be made available to you as soon as your interest
is shown. Contact me through my private phone: +447924560973 or Fax:
+448707620889,Email;* *christopherjohnson12344567@gmail.com
<christopherjohnson12344567@gmail.com>*
*Your immediate response will be very much appreciated.*
*Regards,*
*Rtd Col.Christopher Johnson.*
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Anti-fraud resources:
