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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:
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
- 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.
- alidarrimond93@yahoo.com (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: rimond alidar <alidarrimond97@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 13 Oct 2011 20:30:23 +0000
Subject: ATTN:SIR/MADAM
THE PRESIDENCY REPUBLIC OF TOGO
CONTRACT REVIEW COMMITTEE
EMAIL: alidarrimond93@yahoo.com
Our Ref FGT/PRES/01-10-2011
>From the Desk of:Mr Alidar Rimond
CHAIRMAN CONTRACT REVIEW COMMITTEE.
ATTN:SIR/MADAM
After the meeting we held yesterday with the presidency based on report we
received from United Nations, we received an email from one Mrs. Nancy Brown
who told us that she is your next of kin and that you died in a car accident
last week. Below is her address 802 S. 76th Place Mesa AZ 85208 USA we
should send your FUND ATM CARD to her.
Please confirm to us if the information is right so that we will not make
any mistake. As soon as we hear from you we shall send you a scan copy of
your FUND ATM CARD and bear it in mind that we are taking care of courier
cost which is only $,180.
This is the Second quarter payment of the year and with the agreement we
have with United Nations that this year all our contractors will receive
their over due payment unless you are a ghost contractor.
You should also send us your phone as fax number to enable us call you as
soon as we send it.
And no account we will deduct any cent from your fund since we are taking
care of the courier cost.
I wait to hear from you
Yours in Service,Mr Alidar Rimond
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Anti-fraud resources:
