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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.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "processing fee" (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 mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +447045779955 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
Fraud email example:
From: "William James" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <onepal1@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 29 Jun 2010 20:17:20 +0200
Subject: JOB OPPORTUNITY
Hi,
Am sorry for using this medium to pass this message to you.My name is William James.I owned a polythene company here in UK.ANGODMAN POLYTHENE COMPANY with Registered Number: 5321938.
Am looking for a reputable person to work in in my company.Actually am looking for aclerk, driver and operation manager to work in my company.I also need a nanny to take care of my kids.Earn more than 1350 pounds per month with monthly shopping allowances as well as accommodation and also help you in process your visa to United kingdom. Am ready to pay for your flight ticket to United
Kingdom while you will be responsible for your visa processing fee.The visa has a validity of 1 year.I already have a traveling agent that will help you to process your working permit visa in just 1 week.If you are interested, get back to me with your resumes.I can send you scan copy of my passport if you will like to see.
Regards
William James
AnGodman Polythene company
Boston Manor Road, Brentford TW8 9LB
+447045779955
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Anti-fraud resources:
