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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:
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- ",500,000" (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)
- "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)
- 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.
- marksonwilliamb@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Mr Markson Williams <mrmrinfo542@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 26 Oct 2014 12:23:33 -0800
Subject: Thanking You
>From The Desk Of Mr. Markson Williams
Head Of Payment Department.
United Nations/Europeans Union Netherlands.
Tel/Fax: +31 - (0)20 5210 100.
Dear Sir.
I am contacting you based on the instruction from the United Nations and
the Europeans Union on your pending payment to the sum of Ten Million and
Five Hundred Dollars. ($10,500,000.00).
As stated is the gazette this payment emerged from contracts and
beneficiary fund, (Next Of Kin).
The United Nations/Europeans Union Netherlands, realized that these
contracts were executed in African/Europe but the Governments/Banks were
unable to make it’s payment, for this reason these bodies had decided to
take the responsibility.
We advise that you confirm your geniuses with evidence to enable us make
your payment through our designated bank as soon as possible.
Note: That any fake documents/claim will face the legal action. Waiting
for your response. Reply to my personal email marksonwilliamb@yahoo.com.
Thanks.
Mr. Markson Williams
Head Of Payment Department.
United Nations/Europeans Union Netherlands.
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Anti-fraud resources:
