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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)
- "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 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Rita Lee Wong <rritaleewong@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 20 May 2014 19:38:23 +0100
Subject: Dear Friend.
Dear Friend.
I am very sorry to inform you about my plans of Investment of Fund are
now with bank here Can you help me to invest the money? Total amount
of $25,400,000.00.
I will give you 20% of the total money if you will help to claim this
money and the balance shall be invested in any good investment that
both of us will be benefiting.
I wait your urgent respond that I will inform the Bank for the transfer
I will send to you every document including my identification
documents in my next mail.
Waiting your urgent respond.
Mrs.Rita Lee Wong.
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Anti-fraud resources:
