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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)
- "million united state 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)
- "hundred thousand united state 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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "i have a new email address!" (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
- This email message is a "New Partner from Paraguay" 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.
- mikeeze110@yahoo.ca (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
- davidyoung012@yahoo.com
Fraud email example:
From: Mike Eze <mikeeze110@yahoo.ca>
Date: Thu, 4 Sep 2008 07:28:03 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: CONTACT MY SECRETARY MR DAVID
I have a new email address!You can now email me at: mikeeze110@yahoo.ca
- Dear friend,I am very happy to inform you about my success in getting that fund Now, I want you to contact my secretary on the information below: NAME; Mr. David Young EMAIL : davidyoung012@yahoo.com Ask him to send you the total sum of ($3.5 Million United State Dollars) Three million Five hundred thousand United State Dollars in a bank draft, which I kept for your compensation. Thanks for your help and i we stop here again. You let me know immedaitely you receive it. Regards, MIKE. EZE
Anti-fraud resources:
