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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:
- "dormant account" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
- 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.
- vivicabrenton@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: cynthia smith <cynthiasmith4christ@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2015 14:56:16 -0800
Subject: Your urgent respond is needed
I crave your indulgence for the unsolicited nature of this letter, but it
was borne out of desperation and current development. Please bear with me.
My name is Miss Vivica john,the Director incharge of Auditing section of
Diamond
Bank in Africa, I discovered existing dormant account .
I seek your consent to present yourself as the next of kin of the
deceased. As an auditor in the bank I will use my position in the bank to
help you stand as the next of kin to the deceased, so that the proceeds of
this account valued at ($9 Million) dollars can be transferred to you,
this is the story in a nutshell.
I will send you full details on how the business will be executed and also
note that you will receive 45% of the above mentioned amount if you agree
to help me execute this business kindly send the followings to me such as:
Your Name ;.......................
Your Private Email Address;.......
I expect your urgent response with much anticipation!!!!!!!
You have to contact my private email *( vivicabrenton@gmail.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
