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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:
- "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- 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.
- cole.colechambers@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
- conka, dome france-paris region p.o box nk 147 cole.colechambers@gmail.com cole.mensah@yahoo.com +33 76 20 8 1593 dear trusted (Gmail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
- cole.mensah@yahoo.com (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Cole & Associate" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mingyang201158@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Wed, 21 Dec 2011 04:26:38 +0100
Subject: Cole & Associate
Cole & Associate
Legal Practitioner
11B Dome Conka, Dome
FRANCE-PARIS Region
P.O Box NK 147
cole.colechambers@gmail.com
cole.mensah@yahoo.com
+33 76 20 8 1593
Dear Trusted Beneficiary,
Good day, Please kindly be inform that i am writing to you in regards to my client (Miss FAITH NELSON) who is currently residing in BUJUBURAM REFUGEE CAMP here in Ghana, She has mandated me as her LEGAL ATTORNEY to inform you in respect to her Inherited funds ($8.8 million us dollar) deposited with the CLEARING DEPARTMENT OF PARIS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT which she intend making you as her LEGAL BENEFICIARY to receive this said funds via DIPLOMATIC COURIER DELIVERY SERVICE.
This is in accordance with the AGREEMENT BOND entered between the Late Labagodos Nelson who is the Father to Miss Faith Nelson..
I have visited the French Embassy here in Ghana to ascertain the requirement needed to enable them release this said funds to my client Legal Beneficiary.
Please kindly be informed that i will need the following informations from you as to meet up with the French Embassy requirement accordingly:
1. Full Names
2. Contact Address
3. Occupation
4. Telephone/ Fax Number
5. Passport Identification
You can also confirm this information from the courier delivery officer who is there in Paris for further details:
Name: Mr. Markus Johnson
E-mail:mingyang201158@yahoo.com.hk
Telephone: 0033762081593
It will please you to know that my client has agreed to compensate you with 50% of the total sum if your details are accepted by the French Government.
I look forward to your urgent response.
Barr. Cole Mensah
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Anti-fraud resources:
