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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)
- "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a "dying widow" scam.
Fraud email example:
From: "doris.m1@cantv.net" <doris.m1@cantv.net>
Date: Sun, 13 Jun 2010 05:26:40 -0430
Subject: Hello Dear,
Hello Dear,
I am Mrs.Doris Michael from Cameroon i am married to late Mr.
Michael Francis from Cote D'Ivoire. he was the executive accountant with
the Ivory Coast ministry resources and energy. And during the period of our
marriage we have only one son.Though this message might come to you as
unexpected hence we have not meet before and the only means of
communication is through internet and you are being contacted because of my
condition here in the hospital in Cote D'Ivoire.
I was told
by the doctor that I was poisoned and has got my liver damaged and can only
live for some months. When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum
of $4.5 US Million Dollars in a bank here in Abidjan Cote d'Ivoire. I
cannot think of anybody trying to kill me apart from my late husband
business associate in order to inherit the money, because my son is only
eight years old.
I will issue you the vital document that will
prove to you the present beneficiary of the fund in the bank. I hope that
you will not betray my only son if i chang the document in your name and
make you the present beneficiary. After all the transfer my son will
relocate to your country, Please all I need from you is to take my only son
as your son,give him good education. even when I am know more. this mail is
very urgent.
All I need now is for you to Invest this Fund for
my only son.If you can be of an assistance to us we will be pleased to
offer you 15% Of the total fund.If you fill to help me.
God bless you and your family
Mrs. Doris Michael
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Anti-fraud resources:
