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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
- 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.
- +447024045557 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
Fraud email example:
From: Ahmed <bruceahmed11@hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 1 Jul 2010 03:40:02 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Trust
Dear Friend
am Barrister Ibrahim Bruce Ahmed from UK working here in UK as a lawyer i want to discuss a serious business to you in favor of me and you which is as follow.i want you to help me received the sum of eight million two hundred united state dollars into your account over there in your country as Next of Kin which for your help you will benefit 50 percent your share and 50 percent for me too and any expense during the processing will be for me and you to bear the cost.this funds is deposited in Royal Bank of UK.if you are interested reply me back for further detail. thanks waiting your reply or reply me via my Email:bruceahmed@ymail.com my cell phone+447024045557
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Anti-fraud resources:
