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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 friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "hundred thousand united states 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)
- "contract award committee" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- "abuja" (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.
- 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: "Dr.Charles Olowo" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <dr.charlesolowo129@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 2 Sep 2013 18:57:12 +0100
Subject: 02/09/2013- Acknowledge Receipt..
Federal Republic of
Nigeria Abuja.
Ministry of Health.
Dear Friend,
I write with deep sense of honesty and respect to you.I am Dr.Charles Olowo (OON) the secretary of the contract award committee, Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria i am in search of a partner in Europe to assist us in the transfer of twenty million, four hundred thousand united States dollars ($20,400) and subsequent investment opportunities that abound in your country.
If you decide to render your service to us in this regard, 20% of the total Sum will be offered to you.
Please send reply or call me to indicate your willingness in assisting us so that i Will direct you on what next to do. Include your Direct telephone and fax numbers if you are responding.
Thanks for your anticipated assistance.
Yours faithfully
Dr.Charles Olowo (OON)
Tel:+2348152961058
Dr.Charles Olowo (OON)
Secretary of the Contract Award Committee (SCAC)
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Anti-fraud resources:
