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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:
- "hundred thousand united state 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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- This email message is a "dying widow" 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.
- elizabdm@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Mrs Elizabeth Wilson <advocatemattglove@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 4 Jun 2015 12:36:56 +0200
Subject: THE HUMANITARIAN PROJECT
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Hello,
I am sending you this email in good faith I am Elizabeth Wilson now
undergoing medical treatment for cancer. I was married to Mr. Elizabeth
Wilson who was the chairman and board of directors of Surety One Inc in
(U.S Virgin Islands) for many years. Before his death, we both made a
deposit of some amount of money worth $9.5 Million Nine Million Five
Hundred Thousand United State Dollars with a Finance institution. Recently,
my Doctor told me that I have few months to live due to my illness.
Having known my condition I have decided to donate this fund to you so that
you can invest part of it in real estate business and part of it for the
use of humanitarian in your Country to help the less Privilege while the
rest goes to you and your family, With the help of my lawyer and doctor him
will issue you a Letter of Authority from the Court making you the
Beneficiary of the deposit.
Kindly indicate your interest for more details.
In His Arms.
Mrs. Elizabeth Wilson
Email:elizabdm@yahoo.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
