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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "hundred thousand united states 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)
- "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- This email message is a "New Partner from Paraguay" scam.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +2348068053866 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)
- 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.
- proffcranes_firstinlandbank@yahoo.it (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: mr.robertz@zipmail.com.br
Date: Sat, 8 Sep 2007 18:35:02 +0100
Subject: =?iso-8859-1?Q?DEAR=20FRIEND=20CONTACT=20THE=20CLAIMS=20AGENT=20FOR=20YOUR=20REWARD=20=21=21=21=21=21=21=21=21=21=21=21=21=21=21=21?=
Dear Friend
How are you today? Hope all is well with you and your family? I hope
this
mail meets you in a perfect condition.
I am using this opportunity to thank you for your great effort to
our
unfinished transfer of fund into your account due to one reason or the
other
best known to you. But I want to inform you that I have successfully
transferred
the Cheque out of the company to someone else who was capable of
assisting
me in this great venture.
Due to your effort, sincerity, courage and trust worthiness you showed
at the course of the transaction I want to compensate you and show my
gratitude to you
with the sum of $300.000.00 (three hundred thousand United States
Dollars).
I have authorized the finance house where I deposited my money to
issue
you an international certified bank draft cashable at your bank.
My dear friend I will like you to contact the finance house for the
collection
of this international certified bank draft. The name and contact
address of the Person with your Cheque PROFESSOR CRANE JOHN is as follows
CONTACT HIM NOW.
COMPENSATION HEAD OFFICE
CONTACT AGENT
PROFESSOR CRANES JOHN
EMAIL: proffcranes_firstinlandbank@yahoo.it
www.firstinlandbank.com
Telephone contact:+234-806-805-3866
At the moment, I am very busy here because of the investment projects
which myself and my new partner are having at hand. Finally, remember
that
I have forwarded instruction to the finance house on your behalf to
send
the bank draft to you as soon as you contact them without delay.
Please I will like you to accept this token with good faith as this is
from
the bottom of my heart. Thanks and God bless you and your family.
Mr.Robert Zoellick
FORMER USA TRADE REPRESENTATIVE (NGO's)
Anti-fraud resources:
