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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 friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- This email message is a "New Partner from Paraguay" scam.
- 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.
- akimbello@yandex.ru (Yandex; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Jimmy Johnson <jimmy.joh@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2012 00:58:24 +0100 (BST)
Subject: CONTACT HIM NOW
Dear friend,
I am very happy to inform you about my success in getting that fund. Now, I want you to contact my secretary on the information below:- Name:- Mr. Akim Bello, Ask him to send to you the total sum of ($1.700.000.00) US Dollars in a ATM Card, which I kept for your compensation. So contact him immediately on his e-mail:( akimbello@yandex.ru ) and send him the below information to enable him deliver your ATM Card to you. and you can use to withdraw your money in any ATM machine in any part of the world.
1.Your Full Name:________________2.Your Home Address:________________3.Your City:________________4.Your Country:________________5.Your Phone Number:________________6.Your Occupation:________________7.Your Age:________________8.Your Id:________________
Regards,
Barrister. Jimmy Johnson
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Anti-fraud resources:
