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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:
- "urgent assistance" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "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: nina douala <ninadou1987@yahoo.co.jp>
Reply-To: ninadouala1985@yahoo.co.jp
Date: Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:25:15 +0900 (JST)
Subject: From: Nina Douala
Dear One,
Good day I am Nina Douala. From Abidjan Cote d'ivoire, I wish to request for your urgent assistance in my investment plans in your base, I am calling in respect of the transfer of money deposit in the bank by my late Father Mr Joseph Douala who was a wealthy Cocoa Merchant here in Ivory Coast. I
wish to invest this money in manufacturing and real estate management in your base,this is because I inheritated an important sum from my late father who died in recent political crisis in Cote d'Ivoire here.
Before the death of my father he informed me near his hospital bed at chu- teaching hospital, that he has saved the in one of the bank here in cote d Ivoire with my name, and I have made every inquired to confirm the existence of the deposit.
This money was been deposited for my social security and for fruitful international investment.That is why I need you to keep this transaction highly confidential and trustworthy person who will assist me to receive this money overseas for investment establishment purpose indurities and
lucratives profitable ventures.
I want you to send your full name so that I will go and submit it to the bank and I will officially make you my foregin partner and the bank here will endorse it and transfer the money to your bank account and I will appreciate it if you send me your direct phone number for easy communication.
Thanks and anticipating to hear from you immediately you recieve this mail. God bless.
Yours Faithfully.
Nina Douala.
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