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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:
- "dearest one," (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- 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.
- susanwilliams008@yahoo.com.ph (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: kenneddy bobby <bobbyken_treasure@yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 4 Apr 2010 02:51:09 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: From Suzan and Williams/Appeal for Assistance.
From Suzan and Williams/Appeal for Assistance.
Dearest One, We are Suzan and Williams Alfarouk from Sierra Leone.We are writing you from Rep of Cote 'Ivoire where we have been taking refuge after the brutal war and murder of our perants by the rebels during the renewed fighting in our country. Because of the war our late Father sold his shipping company and took us to a nearby country Cote d'Ivoire where he deposited US$18, 300, 000.00 Million in his foreign account with one of the bank here in Cote d'Ivoire Pls, we got your profile from (search in the internet) and due to the courrent political sutuation in Ivory Coast we are seeking for your assistance to transfer this Money and also relocate to your country to further our study and we are willing to offer you 25% of the total sum for your help. Please,Kindly contact us on this e-mail addresse (susanwilliams008@yahoo.com.ph) for more details.
Best Regard Suzan and Williams
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Anti-fraud resources:
