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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:
- "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 mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- 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.
- epps430@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Mrs Yvonne Mouka <alexjp54@yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 24 Nov 2014 08:37:04 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: MY DONTAION FOR CHARITY
according to God direction and wishes.
I reached you by the special grace of God through email because I can not speak to your understanding on telephone due to my sickness. I am suffering from esophageal cancer for years now and have undergone series of cancer treatments but no avail.
Recently my doctor declared that I have shorter days to live. Likewise from my daily health report it is also clear to me that I have but little time to pass on, therefore I wish to offer you my fortune US$6,200,000.00 to take care of charity work in favor of less privileges in your country.
The money will go to the charity work. I have come up with a great confidence for your trust conduct over this solemn work of God after many prayers. As soon as I receive your reply I will give you the address of my bank and also instruct them for the release of the money to you for the charity work.
But I only wished to have your assurance that you will utilize the money as I have said. I have great interest for the welfare of the less privilege because I was once an orphan and will not be happy if any thing comes contrary against the charity work. Please remember my situation in your daily prayer.+229-68471146.or epps430@yahoo.com
Yours Sick Sister,
Mrs. Yvonne Mouka
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Anti-fraud resources:
