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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:
- This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "await your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "monrovia" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "liberia" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Senate Jewel Howard-Taylor" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <ibrahim_sule@aol.com>
Date: Sat, 22 Feb 2014 19:01:56 -0500
Subject: URGENT MATTER
I am Senate Jewel Howard-Taylor based in Monrovia here the capital of
Liberia.This fund investment belongs to I and my husband the
ex-President of my Country Liberia. Mr.Charles Taylor and I have
decided to look for reliable some One to help us invest this fund over
there in he/her Country,These said funds investment amount $95 M-USD is
been assigned by I and my husband for investment project in your
country.please i need a partner who can handle my project,i want to buy
properties.
Here we do find it hard to trust people who can help us in foreigne
land.please lets just achieve a common business goal with you as
partners.I want to believe that we can build a cordial business
relationship. 10% of the total sum has been assigned as per your
share.I Shall visit you with my Son for the investment. once the funds
hits into your account for the onward investment. Kindly get back to
me with the following information of yours to enable me start the
processing.
Your Full name:---------
Age:---------
Contact Address:---------
Contact Telephone:---------
Occupation & Position:--------
Above all, I wish to assure you that the funds in question is not an
act of Terrorist Funding nor Drug-funding. Thus, the transfer will
follow the normal protocol of funds transfer, backed up with its
papers so that you will not encounter any difficulties/problem with
your Federal Monetary Control authorities. I await your urgent
response.
Thanks and God bless
Best Regards
Ex First Lady of Liberia.
Senate Jewel Howard-Taylor.
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Anti-fraud resources:
