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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.
- 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:
- "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. )
- "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a orphan scam.
- 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.
- helenfamily@hotmail.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: helen family <helenfamily@rediffmail.com>
Reply-To: helenfamily@hotmail.fr
Date: Wed, 7 Jul 2010 21:44:01 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: FROM MISS HELEN EDWARD.
FROM MISS HELEN EDWARD.
l am Miss Helen Edward, 19 years old from Harare City in Zimbabwe. My parents late Mr and Mrs Raymond/Mariatha Edward were assassinated by President Mugabe boys. Since their death, I ran away from my country to Cote d'Ivoire for my safety as the only child. Before their death, my father was a known farmer and a cocoa merchant. There is ($6.5million USD) which my late father kept with a security company in Abidjan Cote d'Ivoire (West Africa) before he was assassinated by the Mugabe boys. I am here to claim this inheritance and wish that you will assist me sincerely without betrayal. After the claim, I shall continue my education in your country while you will take care of the investment in a profitable business. For your assistance, I will give you 25% of the total amount. You Can Get In Touch With Me Via My Private Email Box Below; helenfamily@hotmail.fr
I await your response.
Yours, Miss Helen Edward.
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Anti-fraud resources:
