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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 fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
- "first national bank" (not involved with lotteries)
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- 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.
- douglasfarm_1991@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: dougfarms <dougfarms@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Jul 2013 20:16:47 +0530
Subject: i need your fast response
My dear,
Compliment of the good year, I believe you must have concluded your
business activities today by the time you find this email to read with a
settled mind and good understanding of our intentions.
I am Mr Johnson Douglas from Zimbabwe and i wish to know your terms and
conditions for joint investment with us and the extent of assistance we can
get from you as an individual to secure and invest funds in our disposal at
your country.
I will also be glad to know if you will also assist us to relocate and
obtain resident papers in your country.
I stay here in South Africa with my step mother and two sisters as asylum
seekers after the death of my father whom was a strong critic of president
Robert Mugagbe back home and whom also made this deposit in First national
bank.
I will like to speak with you and will urge you to give me a call on my
cell number ( + 27710047888 ) and also indicate your direct number where i
can always keep in steady contact with you as from now until this
investment grant is safe in your custody.
I will explain how i got your contact and our expectations once i hear from
you.
Thanks for your anticipated co-operation and always remain blessed, i will
also urge you to send a copy of your response to my step mother's e-mail ID
so she can also see your assurance to assist us,her email is (
douglasfarm_1991@yahoo.com ).
I await your call.
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Anti-fraud resources:
