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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:
- "million 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)
- "there is no risk involved" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- drjameskofi7@hotmail.com (Hotmail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Dr. James Kofi" <dr.jameskofi4@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 2 Nov 2014 12:39:42 +0000
Subject: Best wishes!
My name is Dr.kofi James, I am a manager in a financial institution. I got
your contact from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and The Ministry of
International Trade and Industry. I need your help to transfer US$15.5
Million dollars.
The money is part of the profits from our bank last year (2013) audit. I
have already submitted annual report for last year to my bank headquarters
in Accra-Ghana, and they did not notice the excess profits. I deposited the
US$15.5 Million dollars in an escrow account without a beneficiary
(Anonymous) to avoid any trace.
I cannot be directly connected to this money because I still work with the
bank. So, I need your help to transfer this money to your country for me
and you to share. I offer you 45% of this money as my foreign partner and
55% would be for me. There is no risk involved because it will be a
bank-to-bank transfer.
All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us see this transaction
through. Should you be interested and willing to help Kindly complete your
detail below:
1. Your full name:..........................
2. Your occupation/position in office:..........................
3. Your date of birth:........
4. Marital status:.............
5. Nationality:.............
6. Your full contact addresses (Home/office):
7. Your International passport photos or ID Card Photo :.............
8. Your private telephone/fax:...............
please get back to me through my private E-mail Address(
drjameskofi7@hotmail.com)
I will be looking forward to receive the above details. please reply me
for us to proceed immediately
Sincerely,
Dr.kofi James
Note: if you receive this message in your junk or spam its due to your
internet provider.
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Anti-fraud resources:
