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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:
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- This email message is a "New Partner from Paraguay" scam.
Fraud email example:
From: Engr Arthur Parkinson <MDKConsulting@neostrada.pl>
Reply-To: brendaballard@mail.bg
Date: Sat, 19 Feb 2011 00:44:26 +0800
Subject: Engr Arthur Parkinson from South-Africa.
Engr Arthur Parkinson from South-Africa. I'm happy to inform you about my success in getting those funds transferred Under the assistance and cooperation of a new partner from Brazil. Secondly i didn't forget your past efforts and attempts to assist me transferring those funds, I and my partner had kept aside for you a draft of $ 550,000.00 plus $200.00USD to send your Draft via courier service to your destination.Finally, remember that i had left instruction to my secretary so as soon as you contact her, She will send the Draft to you,so feel free to get in touch with MY SECRETARY NOW.
Pastor Brenda Ballard.
brendaballard@mail.bg
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Anti-fraud resources:
