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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:
- 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 beloved," (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "a security company " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "consignment " (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)
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
Fraud email example:
From: "Rev. Ken Hamilton" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <kenneth_ham65@yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 30 Jun 2011 23:13:35 -0000
Subject: FOUNTAIN OF HOPE FOUNDATIONS
Dear Beloved,
With apologies for interference in your privacy. My name is REV.KENNETH HAMILTON a director of FOUNTAIN OF HOPE FOUNDATIONS.I am writing you in regards to a good family friend of mine and founder of the above mentioned organization who was a foreigner and the managing director of an investment firm here in Ghana. Unfortunately my friend died in 2009.She established these foundation to help less privileged minority people in our society which she was doing before his unfortunate death leaving his 5 year old daughter.....MARIE MORGAN behind.
I am to conduct a standard process Investigation/Recommendations on her assets and deposits and it was discovered that she deposited some valuable items including the sum of $6 million USD with a security company here in Ghana as a consignment generated from business ventures and NGOs for the foundation.The security company contacted me a month ago as the director of her foundation and a trustee to recommend a next of kin to the funds since she (Our Late founder) died intestate and nominated no successor in title over the fund deposit made with the security company.Owing to my position in my church and the Organization, I may not participate fully in this transaction as everything will be handed over to a lawyer on my directives and instructions.
The essence of this communication with you is to request that you provide me with information/comments on any or all of the four issues as regards nominating you to inherit the fund left behind since you are a foreigner eligible enough to stand for claims of the funds as well as adopting her only 5 year daughter. I have therefore contacted you to be legally nominated as next of kin (inheritor) to Our Late founder after all inquiries and investigation even with the relevant embassy has yielded results showing that there is no known or living next of kin of her. Therefore, you are required therefore to answer this questions to enable me make my recommendation to the security company.
-Can you confirm your willingness to accept this inheritance if you are legally and legitimately nominated through my recommendation to the company and approved to stand as inheritor to this funds.
-would you accept to adopt MARIE MORGAN (her only daughter) and keep 40% of the total money for her social security?
-Would you agree to donate 30% of this inheritance to our charity organization and 10% to a known less privilege foundation in your country if you are officially recommended to the company in my powers to stand as the inheritor? Then, the rest 20% will be your reward for your benevolent assistance.
It is pertinent that you inform me ASAP whether or not you are familiar with this personality or and your interest towards the issues mentioned.You must appreciate that I am constrained from providing you with more detailed information at this point. Please respond to this mail as soon as possible to afford me the opportunity of providing you with more information on this matter upon your consent to proceed with the recommendation of your person to the company as the inheritor of the funds.
Thank you for accommodating this inquiry.
Remain Blessed.
Rev. Kenneth Hamilton.
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