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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:
- "a security company " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "huge sum of money" (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)
- "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)
- "urgent assistance" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- This email message is a orphan scam.
Fraud email example:
From: "SUSSANA DIARRE" (may be fake)
Date: Sat, 4 Sep 2010 21:26:24 +0100
Subject: I NEED YOUR URGENT ASSISTANCE
Compliment of the day to you .
My name is Susanna Diarre ,i am female 21years old from the Republic of Sudan ,but i am presently in Ghana as a refugee due to the war in my country .
Please forgive me for contacting you in this manner as you dont know me before ,but due to the urgency of my case i decided to contact you for urgent assistance .
My late father was a very wealthy Diamond and Gold dealer before his untimely death ,but before his death he deposited some huge sum of money in a Security company in United Kingdom .
The funds which is amounting to the sum of $30.9million dollars was deposited as FAMILY VALUABLES ,i want you to help me claim it and then invest it in your country in any lucrative business of your choice and then you will send for me to come over to join you .
I am willing to compensate you with the sum of 30% for your assistance at the end of this transaction.
If you are interested kindly forward the following information across to me and then i will send you my identification and the documents which my father used in depositing the funds with the security company.
1.Your complete name
2.Nationality
3.Age
4.Occupation
5.Direct telephone number for easy communication
I will be very glad to hear from you soon .
Sincerely
Miss Sussana Diarre
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Anti-fraud resources:
