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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)
- "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)
- "there is no risk involved" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
- "darango.michel@barid.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: darango michel <darango.michel@barid.com>
Date: Tue, 18 Nov 2014 09:30:20 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: I NEED YOUR ASSISTANCE.
 Dear Friend,
How are you, I hope fine?
May I kindly seek for noble kind attention? I will be very glad if you do assist me to relocate this sum of (US$10.4) Million dollars to your bank account for the benefit of our both of us.
I cannot operate it alone without using a Foreigner who will stand as a beneficiary to the money, that is why I decided to contact you seeking your help and assist, so we can smooth transfer of the fund also share the benefit together with me. The sharing of the fund 50/50% base on the fact that it is two man business, and it is risk free as there is no risk involved because there will be a legal back up document as well which will back the money up into your bank account there in your country.
Please kindly indicating your interest and I will send you the full details on how the business will be executed.
1). Your full name (as it is written in your id card or passport).
................
2). Your contact address with phone and fax number.................
3). Your age. ...........
4). Your Occupation...............
5). Marital status (Married or Single). .................
6).Scan copy of your passport........................
Trusting to hear from you please very urgently.You can also contact me with this email address " darango.michel@barid.com "
Regards.
Mr DARANGO Michel .
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Anti-fraud resources:
