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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found 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. )
- "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 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.
Fraud email example:
From: =?UTF-8?Q?kmith2?= <kmith2@o2.pl>
Date: Sun, 28 Sep 2008 07:26:23 +0200
Subject: =?UTF-8?Q?CONTACT_MY_SECRETARY_FOR_YOUR_COMPENSATION!!!?=
Dear Friend compliment of the season,I did not forgot your efforts and attempts to assist me, I'm happy to inform you that I have succeeded in getting the fund transferred under the cooperation of a new partner from japan,my pastor said that i should compensate you for your past efffort and committment to me. I have dropped an International Certified Bank Draft of $1.250m for you.Now contact my account officer in Benin Republic for your effort and ask her for your draft,her name is Mrs.Grace Edson,her email is (grace.edson@hotmail.fr) or call her on (+229) 93-244-461,feel free to get in touch with her to send the cheque to you without any delay at your own EXPENSES as I did not left any money with her for its postage,Make sure you send her the followings.(1) AGE/SEX..........................
(2) FULL NAME........................
(3) HOME ADDRESS.....................
(4) DIRECT PHONE NUMBER..............With My Best Regards,
Dr.Smith Koffi James.
Anti-fraud resources:
