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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:
- "million us 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)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "god fearing " (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
- 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.
- jsbriggsfirm@inmail24.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Harold Westly <ricardo.oyama@maflow.com.br>
Reply-To: jsbriggsfirm@inMail24.com
Date: Tue, 9 Mar 2010 20:08:44 -0300
Subject: Save The Hatains
Dear Beloved
I believe that I have contacted you with the great intervention of the
almighty. I am Harold Westly a victim of the Haiti Disaster whom has
lost all that I have ever labored for in the disaster. You can read
more of the disaster from www.cnn.com/Haiti
I am a dying patient due to the disaster whom has under the strong
intervention of the almighty God decides to give all that I have
worked for to a God fearing person and any church/Mosque/Organization
whom will in turn touch the lives of the less privileges in the society.
I am presently diagnosed for cancer, and paralysis.
I am willing my funds to you/Church/Mosque the sum of $18.5 million us
dollars for the good work of the lord almighty whom have touched and
made me know you through divine intervention.
I have talked with my lawyer, whom by name Barrister Johnson Briggs
who assist you in realizing this goal and he is aware of the will
being adjusted to your name as the beneficiary of the funds. I am
currently undergoing treatment at the hospital in England with the
help of the Red Cross whom assisted me in getting out of Haiti some
days ago. The email address of my lawyer is jsbriggsfirm@inMail24.com
However, My lawyer is already aware of it, but I advise that you
contact him and tell him I did this for the good purpose of the lord.
I would appreciate all confidentiality until you complete this task
because I do not want any thing that would hinder my wish from coming
to pass. May the almighty good lord richly bless you as you do this
for the less privileges. Contact me via email immediately you have
received this email, as I would not be allowed to use the phone all
times and due to people around me.
Sincerely yours,
Harold Westly
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Anti-fraud resources:
