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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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- "mrs.norhana_aziz@hotmail.my" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a "New Partner from Paraguay" scam.
Fraud email example:
From: Dr. James Leson <j.leson@yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 29 Mar 2014 16:28:10 +0900
Subject: SEND HIM THIS IDENTIFICATION CODE.(EXO23DU26S)
Dear Friend,
How are you? I hope you are in good health with family.This is to inform you about my success in getting the money moved under the co-operation of a new partner from London.Presently,I'm in London for the purpose of investing my own share of the money. Meanwhile i didn't forget your past efforts and attempts in assisting me to move the cash even though we were not successful.Now contact my secretary in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia on the under-listed contact:
NAME: Mrs.Norhana Aziz
Email:mrs.norhana_aziz@hotmail.my
I have instructed her to send you a cheque to the sum of ($2.000,000.00) Two Million Dollar's. which i kept for you as compensation for all your past efforts and attempts to assist me in this matter.
I appreciated your efforts at that time so much.So feel free and contact my partner Mrs.Norhana Aziz and give her instructions on where to send the cheque to you.
Please let me know immediately you receive it so that we can share the joy after all the sufferings at that time.At the moment,i am very busy here in Jakarta investing with my new partner.
Best Regards,
Dr. James Leson.
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Anti-fraud resources:
