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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:
- "contact me immediately" (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.
- concordtrustbv@aim.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "TEKO BENSON" (may be fake)
Date: Sun, 30 May 2010 06:49:24 +0200
Subject: INVESTMENT RELATIONSHIP.
Hello,
My name is Mr. Teko Benson, CEO Concord Trust Agency South Africa. Our Agency is incharge of contract Award for the FiFa 2010 South Africa World-Cup.
I have 12.5 million US Dollar in a Europe that I want to transfer and invest in your country. If you are intrested to assist me invest this fund in your country, I will give you 40% of the total money.
Contact me immediately to will enable me to give you the full details on how the business will be executed.
Your sincerely,
Mr. Teko Benson.
concordtrustbv@aim.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
