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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:
- "million pounds" (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)
- 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.
- philipsmagret@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: magret philips <magretphilips1@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 8 Aug 2009 15:01:40 -0700
Subject: help keep the charity work alive
Hello Dear One,
I am Mrs. Magret Philips from united kingdom. Life is gradually
passing away from me as a result of my present medical condition and
my personal doctor confided in me yesterday that I have only but few
more days to live. In view of this setback I was advised by my only
daughter who is a reverend sister in the catholic monastery to donate
my husband's estate for humanitarian assistance/works.
In an effort to compliment the good work of God almighty and the wish
of my daughter, I donate the sum of THIRTY FIVE MILLION POUNDS ONLY
(35,000 000.00) to you, the fund was acquired legally through my
husbands Crude Oil business in the United Arab Emirate before he met
his untimely death in an attack carried out by the terrorists in an
air bus in flight.
On your acknowledgment of this mail my attorney will facilitate due
processes for transfer of this legacy to you with all legal documents.
Get back to me if you are willing to help me achieve this desire. Send
your reply using this email address for the security of the fund
philipsmagret@yahoo.com
May God bless you as you use this money judiciously for the work of charity?
Sincere regards
Mrs. Magret Philips
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Anti-fraud resources:
