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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:
- "please indicate your willingness" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
Fraud email example:
From: Mr Ehnd Johnson <ehnd_johnson2004@sify.com>
Date: Fri, 19 Feb 2010 08:29:25 -0800 (PST)
Subject: FROM: MR. EHND JOHNSON.
FROM: MR. EHND
JOHNSON.
PRIVATE TELEPHONE;
REPLY SO WE CAN
PULL THE FUND.
Please read carefully,
This message might meet you in
utmost surprise. However, it's just my urgent need for foreign partner that made
me to contact you for this transaction. I assured of your capability and
reliability to champion this business opportunity when before contacting
you.
I am a banker by profession in BURKINA-FASO, WEST
AFRICA and currently holding the post of manager in account and
auditing department in our bank. I have the opportunity of transferring the left
over funds ($ 10.2 Million Dollars) belong to our deceased customer who died
along with his entire family in a plane crash.
Hence; I am inviting you
for a business deal where this money can be shared between
us in the ratio of 60/40 if you agree to my
business proposal. Further details of the transfer will be forwarded to you as
soon as I receive your return mail immediately as soon as you receive this
letter.
Please indicate your willingness by sending the below information
for more clarification and easy communication.
For more details, Contact me for more
details.
1. Your Full Name .............
2.Your
Sex...................
3. Your Age.............
4. Marital
Status ..............
5. Your Cell Phone
Number..............
6.Occupation......................
7. Your Country OF Orign..........
Trusting to hear from you
immediately.
Thanks & Best Regards,
Mr Ehnd
Johnson
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Anti-fraud resources:
