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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. )
- ",500,000" (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 mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
Fraud email example:
From: Monica Koussa <monicakoussa@zipmail.com.br>
Date: Mon, 7 Mar 2011 10:29:34 -0300
Subject: Dear good friend,
Greetings to you.
My name is Monica koussa,and I am from Cote D'ivoire but presently living in
Senegal.
political war claim the life of my parents that is why I am writing you for
assistance.
My late father was from Bouake in the north. This place is now in the rebels
hands. He was killed for supporting the government side.
I am 22 years old girl and my school has been terminated by the crisis.
I want to reveal to you that my late father made a deposit in a security
company here of $10,500,000( Ten million five hundren dollars)
This money was for an investment in overseas befor he died.
I have all the proof with me. I am now leaving with a pastor, a man of God
whom I am staying with. He and the family are good to me.
He promise to help me in everything inas mush as he can to archive my goals
when and why i contacted you most is to help me retrieve the money and invest
on my behalf also arrange a school
for me the re to forder my education and
keep the money safe.
Please write me back and send me your telephone number so that i will call you
or you can call me with the Pastors phone number +221 771 454 638
and discuss with you.
May God bless you for caring for an orphan.
Awaiting to hear from you soonest.
Yours, Monica
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