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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:
- "claim agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
- ",000,000" (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. )
- This email message is a fake lottery scam. Consider the following facts about real lotteries:
- They don't notify winners by email.
- You can't win without first buying a lottery ticket.
- They don't randomly select email addresses to award prizes to.
- They don't use free email accounts (Yahoo, Hotmail, etc) to communicate with you.
- They don't tell you to call a mobile phone number.
- They don't tell you to keep your winnings secret.
- They will never ask a winner to pay any fees to receive a prize!
- 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.
- +27788191262 (South Africa, 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.
- abrahamadams88@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "2008 AWARD NOTIFICATION." <abrahamadams88@yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 24 May 2008 12:04:39 +0200
Subject: 2008 AWRAD NOTIFICATION
2008 AWARD NOTIFICATION.REDDOT PROMOTION COMPANY, BZ/GP004 ONLINE DRAWS. =
May 24th, 2008. Website: http://en.red-dot.org/newgallery/page.php=3Fid=3D48&l=
ang=3Den,*http://www.red-dot.de* [http://www.red-dot.de//t=5Fblank]* You have =
gained the computer Balloting Program. This message is fromThe manager, RE=
DDOT ONLINE PROMOTION COMPANY. You have won on the Computer ballot system =
program, the sum of $1,000,000:00. Contact your Claim Agent immediately vi=
a: Name: Mr. Abraham AdamsPhone: +27-78-819-1262E-mail: abrahamadams88@yah=
oo.com [mailto:abrahamadams88@yahoo.com] You have tic number (7PWYZ2007) a=
nd BAL number (BT: 12052007/20).To avoid delays, you are to quote your tic=
and BAL numbers, and also Fill the below processing form: 1) NAMES2) AGE3=
) SEX4) ADDRESS5) PHONE6) FAX7) OCCUPATION8) COMPANY9) COUNTRY10) AMOUNT W=
ON11) I WANT TO BE PAID BY: BANK TRANSFER OR CHEQUE NOTE: A payment of han=
dling charges, processing and administrative fess Is required from every b=
eneficiary who is not a South Africa Citizen. Accept my hearty congratulat=
ions once again! Yours faithfully, Mrs. Rebeca Thambo, Promotion Manager.*=
=09
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Anti-fraud resources:
