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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:
- "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. )
- "urgent assistance" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "tonyfisher001@onmail.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a company representative scam. This type of job offer scam involves the cashing of fake checks and money orders. It could expose you to losses of tens of thousands of dollars as well as to the risk of criminal prosecution and (in some cases) imprisonment.
Fraud email example:
From: Dieter Bethke <tfisher001@onmail.com>
Date: Mon, 21 Nov 2022 15:16:07 +0000
Subject: I needed your cooperation urgently!
Dear Sir/Madam,
I needed your cooperation urgently!
I am Dieter Bethke a Financial Consultant with Shenzhen Erisin Electronics Co, Ltd (China). We are one of the biggest suppliers of in car entertainment products in China, and we are also Gold Supplier in Shenzhen, With rapid development through five years, now we have warehouse in Shenzhen (China).
In view of our global expansion we are searching for representatives who can help us establish a medium of getting to our customers in United States as well as making payments through you as our payment officer. The reason we seek your urgent assistance is that most of our customers make payment in cheque. United States takes a longer time to clear here in China thereby holding business down for us and our business associates.
Salary is based on percentage level. For every payment you receive from our customers on our behalf is 10% commission. You will also be receiving 2.5% bonus annually for all payment received through you to us. If you are interested in this part time job offer please reply to: dieterb011@onmail.com / tonyfisher001@onmail.com
Yours Sincerely
Dieter Bethke
Financial Consultant
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Anti-fraud resources:
