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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:
- "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)
- 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.
- mw74899@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Michael Williams" <donnabt@telus.net>
Date: Sat, 1 Oct 2016 21:24:51 -0600 (MDT)
Subject: call me on +229 99289898 Mr Michael Williams
Attention Dear;
This is to inform you that the America Embassy office was instructed to Transfer your $ 3.3 Million Dollars compensating for all the SCAM
VICTIMS and your email were found as one of the VICTIMS By America Security leading team and America representative officers, so between now until
9th Of December 2016 you will be receiving the sum of $ 3000 dollars per day. However we are informed that we have already sent
The first $ 3000 dollars this morning to avoid cancellation of your payment, Remain the total sum of $ 3.3 Million Dollars.
You have only six hours to call this office upon the receipt of this Email the maximum amount you will be receiving per a day starting from
Today's $ 3000 per day you will be receiving from us, so provied this information below:
YOUR FULL NAMES ..........................
YOUR ADDRESS: ............................
YOUR PHONE NUMBER ........................
CELL PHONE NUMBER ........................
AGE ......................................
SEX: .....................................
YOUR OCCUPATION......................
POSITION HELD ..........
Yours Faithfully,
Do not hesitate to call me on +229 99289898 as soon as you read this mail and email with this eamil: mw74899@gmail.com
Mr Michael Williams
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Anti-fraud resources:
