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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:
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "utmost confidentiality" (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.
Fraud email example:
From: Maxwell Stevens <maxwell.stevens@sify.com>
Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 06:45:56 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Greetings From Mr.Maxwell Stevens.
Greetings From Mr.Maxwell Stevens.
Hello,
I am Maxwell Stevens. from UK; I am in Burkina Faso to claim and inherit my deceased father’s contract funds USD10, 000,000.00 my father “Thomas Stevens†died in motor accident in London not quite long he returned from Burkina to London.
This was after he completed the contracts he executed in Burkina Faso.
The contracts funds originated as a result of contract payment for supply of Heavy Mining Electrical Equipment to “Wisvic Constructions Company†in Burkina Faso before he died of motor accident.
It might interest you to know that I have successfully discussed with Managing Director of the depository Bank in Burkina Faso West Africa after breaking the shocking news of my father's death.
I have instructed the MD of the bank to arrange for the transfer of my deceased father’s contract funds of USD10M into an oversea bank a/c I shall shortly submit to him.
Therefore the depository bank awaits me to submit bank a/c details to the bank to enable them proceed with transfer of my late father’s contracts funds of (USD10M).
Based on my search for foreign partner for accommodation for safe-keeping/investment, I sincerely make this contact to you to seek your assistance to provide me your private bank a/c information where I can receive the contract fund of USD10M through the depository bank in Burkina Faso on my behalf.
The business is completely safe and secure with guarantee of 100% risk free, provided you treat it with utmost confidentiality/honesty.
I am waiting to hear from you to enable me furnish you with more adequate information and also to discuss what will be your commission for accommodating my late father’s contract funds into your private bank a/c for safe-keeping on my behalf.
I am looking forward to receive your respond as a matter of urgent.
Thank you and God bless.
Maxwell Stevens.
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Anti-fraud resources:
