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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:
- "please indicate your interest" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "will come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "00,000.00" (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.
Fraud email example:
From: Mrs Ameena Kazeem <ameena_kazeem@att.net>
Reply-To: mrs_k_ameena@yahoo.fr
Date: Thu, 3 Feb 2011 09:08:23 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Hello My Dearest
Hello My DearestÂ
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Compliment of the season to you. I know that this letter will come to you as a surprise, with the full hope that you will bear with me to assist me.
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I am Mrs. Amaeena Kazeem from Sierra Leon but presently residing in Cote D’Ivoire. I am a widow with one son being that I lost my husband. My husband was official personnel with the Gold and Mining board in our country Sierra Leone until his death. He was assassinated by the rebels following the political uprising. Before his death he made a deposit of sum of Thirty Seven Million Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($37,200,000.00) here in Cote D’Ivoire.
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This fund he intended to use for foreign investment. I want you to help me as I have plans to do investment in your country, like real estate or any other. This is my reason for writing to you.
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I shall give you 25% of the total sum as soon as this fund hits your account and I shall visit you in your country for the shearing.
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Please if you are willing to assist me and my only son Eissa, please indicate your interest by replying soonest.
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Thanks and best regards.
Mrs. Amaeena Kazeem and Son Eissa
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Anti-fraud resources:
