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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:
- 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:
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "wailers.weah11@voila.fr" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Wailers Weah" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <wailers.weah11@o2.pl>
Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 16:12:57 -0700
Subject: From The Desk Of Mr. Wailers Weah.
From The Desk Of Mr. Wailers Weah.
Country: Accra Ghana, West Africa.
E-mail: wailers.weah11@voila.fr
Am Mr. Wailers Weah, I work with a bank here in Ghana as an accounting officer. I have just found out that a foreign customer with us died last year without leaving a next of kin to his funds and he has no known
family. The bank will keep the funds if it remains unclaimed which will only favor the bank, so I decided to look for a foreigner that will agree to inherit the funds while I prepare grounds for it.
I deem it important to assure you that this is legal and genuine and will be carried out officially too. The claim itself is overdue and will be given prompt attention by the bank upon your payment request while
I will give you exclusive details and support from here. I am ready to give you 25% of the funds for your support and I also guarantee the safety of your name and details.
Please to further this transction with immediate affect you are advised to forward me the following information for authentic identification with our bank which i will program on your behalf before you officially contact the bank.
The below information is required from you.
1. Your Full Name.
2. Your Full Billing Address.
3. Your Direct Phone Number.
4. Occupation.
5. A Copy of Your Identification.
I will furnish you with more details upon getting your immediate response.
Thank you.
Mr. Wailers Weah.
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Anti-fraud resources:
