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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.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "await your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "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 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.
- mendlegalchambers@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Saif -Al Islam Gaddafi <mendlegalchambers@hotmail.com> (may be fake)
Date: Sat, 9 Apr 2011 11:51:29 +0200
Subject: Dear Sir/ma
Dear Sir/Ma,
How can you help me and my family out to secure these fund with the help of our international lawyer who will be at desk to supply you all needed documents to secure the fund safely .
Before the international committees will freeze the said account.
As you see below link http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-12621301
I shall await your full name and phone number if possible with a copy of your international passport and also let me know which means can you be able to put a claim to the said fund (45.350.000.00 USD) Forty Five Million Three Hundred and Fifty Thousand United States Of American Dollars of which our family is willing to give out 40% if you can be helpful in this our trial times and how best can you keep these secret to avoid it been eared on air.
Areano Fernandez: Please write me as i await your urgent response since my Dad is willing to step down for the Rebels in Libya if only they can gurrantee the safety of our assets and family lifes in Libya also amid fear of international community and NATO using military intervention to topple his Regime.
Due to security reason please contact our lawyer in the South East Asia Barrister Men Dyna Email; mendlegalchambers@hotmail.com
Direct phone number :00855-11514974
Best Regards
Saif -Al Islam Gaddafi
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Anti-fraud resources:
