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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:
- "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "the consignment" (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)
- "consignment " (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)
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- 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.
- kabongo_veronica@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: veronicanatalie40 <veronicanatalie40@yeah.net>
Date: Thu, 10 Apr 2014 19:49:01 +0800 (CST)
Subject: hi
permit me to inform you of my desire to go into a lasting business relationship with you. My name is Miss Veronica Natalie ; I’m Ivorian Nationality. I am the only child of Late Mr and Mrs Natalie, my parent were killed by unknown rebels during the war in 2010 inour country Cote d'Ivoire. I am presently living and residing now in a guest house here in Republic of Togo for safety of my life and I decided to contact you believing in God that you will not betray me.
Please I am humble seeking for your sincere assistance for the transfer of my inheritance funds US$6.5Million (Six Million Five Hundred Thousand USA Dollars) which my believed father deposited with Security Firm before his untimely death. Please I need your sincere assistance to retrieve the consignment fund out from the Security Firm and transfer it to your country for investment purpose. In this regard, I am willing to offer you 15% of the total fund, after the transfer to your country and I come over to your country for investment program.
Please if you are willing to assist me to handle this project get back to me with your direct telephone number through my e-mail address ( kabongo_veronica@yahoo.fr )
I am waiting for your urgent reply.
Sincerely,
Miss Veronica Natalie
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Anti-fraud resources:
