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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:
- "00,000.00" (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.)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "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. )
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- This email message is a "New Partner from Paraguay" scam.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
- 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.
- +22993893195 (Benin, probably a 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.
- nneaka2004@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "chukwuzoba5 Gazeta.pl" <chukwuzoba5@gazeta.pl>
Date: Sun, 25 May 2008 19:27:47 +0200
Subject: YOUR BANK DRAFT ! ! ! CONTACT MY SECRECTARY
Hello my good friend,
How are you today? Hope all is well with you and your family?
I am using this opportunity to inform you that this mlti-million-dollar
business has been concluded with the assistance of another partner from
India who financed the transaction to a logical conclusion. Due to your past
efforts,sincerity,courage and trustworthiness you showed during the course
of the transaction, I have left a certified international bank cheque for
you with my secretary worth of $800,000.00 cashable anywhere in the world.
HIS NAME: Nnekwu Akabueze A
ADDRESS: Cotonou, Benin Republic.
His email address/ nneaka2004@yahoo.fr
Cell Phone / +229 938 931 95
Therefore, you should send to him:
(1) Your full Name and telephone number.
(2) Your full/correct mailing address where you want him to send the cheque
to you.
Thanks and remain blessed.
Barrister ChukwuZoba
Anti-fraud resources:
