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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:
- "million 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.
- yao.yuta@yahoo.com.hk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Nancy Shafer <nshafer@co.fulton.pa.us>
Date: Sat, 5 Apr 2014 16:05:44 +0000
Subject: DID YOU RECEIVE MY FIRST MAIL?
Good Day,
I am sorry for contacting you without a medium through this
previous notice, I had to use email since is an official
and more confidential way of making contact with people around the world.
My name is Yao Yuta, I not work with the hang seng Bank Hong Kong
I have a business proposition for you Involving the sum of $ 24.500.000.00
Million Dollars in my bank which i know we will be of mutual benefit to Both of us.
If interested reply me through this Email: yao.yuta@yahoo.com.hk
Regards,
Mr Yao Yuta.
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Anti-fraud resources:
