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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:
- "hundred thousand united state 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)
- ",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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Kelvin Moses" <kelvinmoses58@yahoo.com> (may be fake)
Reply-To: k.moses53@yahoo.com
Date: Mon, 14 Mar 2011 00:18:38 -0300 (BRT)
Subject: Your Urgent Response Is Needed
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From:Dr.Kelvin Moses.
The Personal Legal Adviser to late president Umaru Musa Yar-adua on
foreign affairs
I am Dr. Kelvin Moses; The Personal Legal Adviser to late president Umaru
Musa Yar-adua on foreign affairs who died and was buried according to
Islamic law on 5th of may 2010 after a long protracted illness. I have
contacted you to assist me secure the sum of Thirty Eight Million Five
Hundred Thousand United State Dollars ($38,500,000) which he deposited in
a security Vault for 2011 presidential campaign election before he died on
the above date mentioned.
However, I want this transaction to be Highly Confidential between me and
you so that the Federal Government of Nigeria or any of the family members
will not know about it and it will deliver to you in your country through
a diplmatic courier service.
I will urgently need your advice on investment options where we can invest
this money in your country. Our sharing term and condition shall be
discuses as soon as I hear from you.
Finally, I would want you to forward to me the below information’s.
1) Your Full Name:
2) Your Contact Address:
3) Phone Number:
i will be looking forward to hear from you
Remain Bless.
Dr.Kelvin Moses.
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Anti-fraud resources:
