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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million us 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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Johnson Doulas" <douglasfarm_1991@yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 4 Jul 2011 00:14:04 -0400
Subject: Investment
Dear friend,
I hope to have your direct phone number where we can discuss your terms
and conditions for joint investment as my family has asked me to get in
contact with you.
We are now in South Africa as assylum seekers and the banker where my late
father made a diplomatic deposit ( ABSA ) has asked us to introduce a
foreign investor whom will stand as the beneficiary of the funds in view
of our political status and the banking prohabitions.
We are ready to give you 20% of the total sum as take home as long as you
assist us to secure these funds and relocate to your country with resident
papers.
The total sum deposited is twelve million uS dollars and myself and my
step mother and two sisters will like to hear from you asap.
Johnson
+27710047888
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Anti-fraud resources:
