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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 sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "please endeavor to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "hundred thousand united states 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)
- "00,000.00" (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 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.
- +447031800723 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
- 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.
- unitednationsclaims2011@hotmail.com (Hotmail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "UNITED NATIONS" <grant-donations@unitednations.org>
Date: Thu, 22 Sep 2011 00:34:12 -0300 (BRT)
Subject: UNDP Foundation Grant.
UNDP Foundation Grant.
UNDP Grant Donation FOWARD THIS MAIL TO (
unitednationsclaims2011@hotmail.com) FOR PROOF OF CLAIM
Dear Sir/Madam,
This is to notify you that you have been chosen through your e-mail
address By the Board of trustees of the above International (Charity &
Human Developmental) Organization, as one of the final recipients to
receive a Cash Grant/Donation for your economy growth and personal
development. Based on the random selection of internet Web Pages and
millions of Supermarket cash invoices worldwide your e-mail was selected
among the beneficiaries to receive the sum of US$500,000.00 (Five hundred
thousand United States Dollars) as developmental aid from the UN
Foundation.
Beneficiaries have been chosen from every UN Member Nation from all
continents.
You are required to expeditiously Contact the Executive Secretary of The
Donations Department with the details below for documentation and
processing of the release of your cash aid, Please endeavor to quote your
Qualification numbers (UNF/FBF-816-1119 G-900-94) in all discussions.
Forward this email to the Executive Secretary:
Mr. Luis Blakes
E-mail: unitednationsclaims2011@hotmail.com
Telephone: +44-703-180-0723
You might receive this message in your spam or junk folder depends on your
web host.
On behalf of the Board,
Yours faithfully,
United Nations Foundation UK.
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Anti-fraud resources:
