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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:
- "dear friend" (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)
- 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.
- jjosephh2@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Johnson Joseph" <jjosephh2@hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 4 Oct 2012 12:39:20 -0700
Subject: Let Me Hear From You.
Dear Friend,
I contacted you in respect of an investment proposal in your country. I am
a civil servant here in the republic of Benin and due to the banking
tradition in my country, any civil servant that has held any key position
is not allowed to operate an overseas account.That is why I need your
assistance to used this opportunity to partner me to transfer ($4.2M) Four
Million Two Hundred Thousand United States dollars into your account.
The above sum resulted from an over-invoiced contract, executed,
commissioned and paid for years ago by a foreign contractor with the
B.S.I.C Bank. Kindly send me your contact details to enable us proceed
urgently. As soon as I hear from you I will send you my personal
information. Please reply to my private email:jjosephh2@gmail.com for
security reasons.
Thanks
Mr. Johnson Joseph.
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Anti-fraud resources:
