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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.
- This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "with your full names" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "keep this confidential" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- 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.
- tiemeyko@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Tiemoko Kone <tiemeykone@gmail.com>
Reply-To: tiemeyko@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 29 Jul 2020 09:36:30 +0100
Subject: Awaiting for your prompt response
Dear Friend
With a very desperate need for assistance, I have summed up courage to
contact you. I from Burkina Faso, presently working with BCEAO Bank, I
found your contact particulars in an address journal. I am seeking your
assistance to evacuate the sum of US$28 million to your account or any
other safe account of your choice, as far as I can be assured that my share
will be safe in your care until I visit you for sharing of the fund 40% for
you and 60% for me.
And I will like you to respond immediately with your full names, address
and contact number for fast in communications and in order to put your
information in place as the next of kin. There is no risk at all as this
transaction will be done successfully and with my position as the Foreign
Remittance Director guarantees the successful execution of this transaction
to your account. This fund will reflect in your account within five working
Bank days from the day you reply to my mail. Please keep this confidential
and let me know if you are interested.
Regards
Mr. Tiemoko Kone
E-mail: tiemeyko@gmail.com
Mobile: +226-6602-4985
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Anti-fraud resources:
