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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:
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Von Lee" <vonleitre@gmx.de>
Date: Thu, 3 Nov 2011 08:18:07 -0800
Subject: Funds Transfer Today
Dear Nat
My bankers confirmed the check valid yesterday, and the money was credited to my account as well same day, I am transferring the funds in smidgen as instructed
Sender: Vonne Leitren
Recipient – Nathaniel Agu , Sandra Givens, Amos peters and Solomon Egwe (Last Name seconded)
City: Lagos
Country - Nigeria
All four transfers are available for pickup for $2500 each and the copies of the payment slips attached there
With my 15% I have only a balance of $1200
Kind Regards
Prof Von
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Anti-fraud resources:
