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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)
- "trunk box" (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)
- "million 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)
- ",000,000" (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)
- "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)
- This email message is a orphan scam.
Fraud email example:
From: mrabu zakaria21 <mrabu.zakaria21@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 28 Oct 2013 20:56:30 +0000
Subject: Hello
Dear Friend,
I am Abu Zakaria from Ivory Coast. I am an orphan I lost my father a
couple of years back. My father was a serving director of the Cocoa
exporting board until his death.He was assassinated by the rebels
following the political uprising.Before his death he deposited
oneTrunk box containing the total some of USD$18,000,000.00(Eighteen
Million United States dollars) under the custody of the security
company.
I want you to do me a favor to receive this fund in your country or
any safer place as the beneficiary.I have plans to do investment in
your country,like real estate. This is my reason for writing to you.
Please if you are willing to assist me indicate your interest in
replying soonest.
Thanks and best regards.
Abu Zakaria
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Anti-fraud resources:
