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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:
- "abidjan" (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: Joyce Williams <joyce.williams17@outlook.com>
Date: Mon, 24 Feb 2014 09:11:17 +0000
Subject: From Miss Joyce Williams
>From Miss Joyce Williams
In a brief introduction,
I
am Joyce Williams (22 years) the only surviving child of late
Dr.John.H.Williams. I am in possesion of some documents covering the
deposit of US$9.3 Million (Nine million Three hundred thousand dollars)
which m y late father deposited in one bank in ABIDJAN Capital city of
COTE D'IVORE.
I have verified the transaction with the bank here
and it's authencity is clear. This fund is of no criminal origin as it
was realised from sales of the alluvial gold dust.
I am soliciting
for your kind assistance in retrieving and claiming this fund from the
bank here as my father's business associate and have it transferred to
your account in your country for investment. You will also serve as the
guardian to this fund as i'm not at all knowledgeable in the
international business world. I will give you further details as soon as
I hear from you, and we will discuss terms and percentage subsequently
but you must treat highly confidentail.
I await for your response.
Best wishes
Ms.Joyce Williams.
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