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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- 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.
- blacksonmark@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "=?gb2312?B?yMvBprK/vdPK3LzywPrTww==?=" <JIANLI1@atnc.com.cn>
Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2015 05:59:35 +0800
Subject: Re: Certified Bank Draft
My Dear Friend,
Hope all is well with you and your family? I pray this e-mail you alongside your family well. Anyway, I
am using this opportunity to inform you that the multi- million-dollar business has been concluded with
the assistance of another partner from China who financed the transaction to a logical conclusion. Due
to your effort sincerity courage and trust worthiness you showed during the course of the transaction.
I have left an opened certified bank draft for you worth of $750,000.00 Seven Hundred and Fifty
Thousand USdollars cash able anywhere in the world.
Contact: Mark Blackson
His email: BLACKSONMARK@YAHOO.COM
You should send him your full Name and telephone number/your correct mailing address where you want him
to send the bank draft to you. As soon as you receive the certified bank draft you let me know because,
i am busy here trying to put things together and may not be chanced to email you frequently. Feel free
to contact him for your certified bank draft. I will stop here. Once again.
Best Regards,
Palmer Westfall
Thanks and God bless you and your family.
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Anti-fraud resources:
