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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:
- "please indicate your willingness" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- 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.
- ericson_james0000@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Ericson James <ericsonjames_40@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 16 Aug 2011 09:11:33 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: GOOD DAY,,,
Sir ,
This message might meet you in utmost
surprise. However, it all just my urgent need for a foreign partner that made me to contact you for this transaction. I got your contact from
yahoo tourist search while i was searching for a foreign partner. I
assured of your capability and reliability to champion this business
opportunity when i prayed to God or Allah about you.
I am a banker by profession in ACCRA
GHANA WEST AFRICA and currently holding the post of assistant foreign
remittance director in our bank. I have the opportunity of transferring
the left over funds ($11. 3 Million Dollars) of one of my bank clients
who died along with his entire familyon the 6th of january 2004 in a
plane crash.
Hence; i am inviting you for a
business deal where this money can be shared between us in the ratio of
60/40 if you agree to my business proposal. Further details of the
transfer will be forwarded to you as soon as i receive your return mail
immediately you receive this letter.
Please indicate your willingness by
sending the below information for more
clarification and easy communication.
(1) YOUR FULL NAME
(2) YOUR CONTACT ADDRESS
(3) YOUR TEL AND FAX NUMBER
ericson_james0000@yahoo.com
Trusting to hear from you immediately.
NO-00233-024-10-98-141
Best Regards,
Ericson James
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Anti-fraud resources:
