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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:
- This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
- 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.
- wu.farrell@yahoo.com.hk (Yahoo, Hong Kong; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
- you to my clients. my private email address is: wu.farrell@yahoo.com.hk i look forward to your representation. earnestly, mr. (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Farrell Wu" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <wu.farrell@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Tue, 20 Apr 2010 19:06:41 +0800
Subject: Dear Attorney [ Your Legal Representation Needed] Reminder!!
Dear Attorney,
I got your email from an internet lawyers’ directory.
This mail is to request your legal representation. My name is Mr. Farrell Wu. I live at Des Voeux Road West, Shek Tong Tsui - 3664 8300 Hong Kong. I have have a priceless Hong Kong antique business and the prospects are very good (selling btw 25k-400k). My clients include a few private collectors whom I have direct contact with.
However, I am having a lot of disappointments when it comes to smooth transactions involving cash receipts and other legal issues. I am hoping to solve this problem with your help especially with a client in your country. There is an outstanding imbursement in dispute which I would like to use your legal facilities to settle. I believe if this client is addressed by a legal person like you, he will be strained to disburse the amount in question.
I am aware that a proper Attorney Client Retainership Agreement will provide the essential authorization. I am open to further discussions; after which I will send a letter introducing you to my clients.
My private email address is: wu.farrell@yahoo.com.hk
I look forward to your representation.
Earnestly,
Mr. Farrell Wu.
Des Voeux Road West,
Shek Tong Tsui-3664 8300
Hong Kong.
Email: farrell_wu@yahoo.com.hk
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Anti-fraud resources:
