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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:
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "dear beneficiary," (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
- 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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Roland Davidson" <drrolanddavidson@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 12:36:59 -0000
Subject:
Dear beneficiary,
I wish to inform you that IMF and Federal Government of Nigeria Has
finally concluded to compensate all foreign beneficiary with US$ 2.5m Two
million five hundred thousand united state dollar for your
contract/Inheritance fund, you should confirm your postal address to
officer in-charge of the payment via the information below in SKY BANK
PLC so that the bank can pay you through one of this methord check/ATM
Visa card or wire transfer . The Government did this out of sympathy for
your past efforts and all the money you have paid to different banks and
crooks here in Nigeria and I hope you will be satisfied with the
compensation.
Name: Edward Obi
Email: info@skye-online.ce.ms
Phone: +234 8088930300
I will advise you to contact the officer immediately through the above
information . I hope you will have a nice life with the token of
compensation for your past efforts.
Sincerely
Mr.Malik Mohammed
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Anti-fraud resources:
