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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:
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "a security company " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- 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.
- jose_ma@mail.md (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: =?iso-8859-1?Q?Informa=E7=E3o_Mota_=26_Teixeira?= <jose_ma@hawaii.com>
Date: Sat, 27 Mar 2010 01:10:49 +0000
Subject: Complement of the Season.
Dear Sir,
I am Mr. Joseph Madu, an economics student; i have an inherited fund that was deposited in a security company on my name in Spain by my late father, who was once the director of West Africa gold miners association until his death. However i have not been to your country before but i will like you to give me details of investment opportunities in your country and also assist me to invest in your country.
Reply to this mail address. {jose_ma@mail.md}.
Thanks as you reply.
Joseph Madu.
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Anti-fraud resources:
