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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:
- "it will be a bank to bank transfer" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "hundred thousand united states 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 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.
- danlmpty@aol.com (AOL; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Daniel Lamptey <danlmpty@aol.com>
Date: Wed, 3 Nov 2010 04:22:53 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: Assistance
DEAR SIR,
RE: SWIFT TRANSFER OF US $ 11.500 MILLION INTO YOUR ACCOUNT.
MY NAME IS MR DANIEL LAMPTEY. I AM THE REGIONAL MANAGER OF INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANK GHANA LTD IN THE EASTERN REGION OF GHANA.
I GOT YOUR INFORMATION FROM A FRIEND WHO IS A MEMBER OF OUR TRADE MISSION. I WRITE YOU THIS PROPOSAL IN GOOD FAITH. I AM 42 YEARS OLD MARRIED WITH TWO LOVELY KIDS.I HAVE PACKAGED A FINANCIAL TRANSACTION THAT WILL BENEFIT YOU AND I. AS THE REGIONAL MANAGER OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANK GHANA.
IT IS MY DUTY TO SEND IN A FINANCIAL REPORT TO MY HEAD OFFICE IN THE CAPITAL CITY OF ACCRA AT THE END OF EACH BUSINESS YEAR. IN THE COURSE OF THE; LAST YEAR BUSINESS REPORT. I DISCOVERED THAT MY REGION IN WHICH I AM THE MANAGER MADE ELEVEN MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS ($ 11. 500.000.00) WHICH MY HEAD OFFICE ARE NOT AWARE OF AND WILL NEVER BE AWARE OF.
I HAVE PLACED THIS FUNDS ON WHAT IS CALLED ESCROW / SUNDRY ACCOUNT WITH NO BENEFICIARY. AS AN OFFICER OF THIS BANK I CAN NOT BE DIRECTLY CONNECTED TO THIS MONEY. SO MY AIM OF CONTACTING YOU IS TO ASSIST ME RECEIVE THIS MONEY IN YOUR BANK ACCOUNT AND GET 35% OF THE TOTAL FUNDS AS COMMISSION.THERE ARE PRACTICALLY NO RISK INVOLVED. IT WILL BE A BANK TO BANK TRANSFER;
ALL I NEED FROM YOU IS TO STAND CLAIM AS THE ORIGINAL DEPOSITOR OF THIS FUND WHO MADE THE DEPOSIT WITH MY BRANCH SO THAT MY HEAD OFFICE CAN ORDER THE TRANSFER TO YOUR DESIGNATED BANK ACCOUNT.
UPON YOUR ACCEPTANCE TO WORK WITH ME I WILL APPRECIATE IT VERY MUCH AND I WILL BE LOOKING FORWARD TO YOUR REPLY THROUGH THIS ID danlmpty@aol.com
THANKS IN ADVANCE AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.
YOURS TRULY
MR.DANIEL LAMPTEY
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