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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:
- "million 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 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: Umu Umu <umu44444@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Fri, 30 Sep 2011 10:44:30 +0100 (BST)
Subject: Re:Investment
I am the chairman of South African parliamentary committee on works and
contract. I got your contact from South African Chamber Of Commerce and
Industry via the Information Exchange in Johannesburg.
Through over invoiced and bulk purchases that was made on behalf of the
Anglo Gold LTD, my deputy and I have an excess sum of (USD$ 15.000,000) FIFTEEN MILLION UNITED STATES DOLLARS. which we now want to transfer to any trustworthy account overseas.
This money represents an over-invoiced contracts that was awarded to a
foreign contractor in 2010.The company that executed the contract has since
collected their contract payment leaving behind the over-invoiced surplus
of(USD$ 15.000,000) which was our arrangement, If you are interested send
to us the below information.
(1) Your Full Name and your address
(2) Your telephone/fax numbers
(3) Your Nationality
(4) Your Age
(5) Your occupation
I want you to bear in mind that this transaction is 100% real and risk
free. After indicating your interest we will then discuss about the
percentage and also the government is waiting to make this payment to the
contractor's account under Ten working days.
After concluding the deal we can together invest this fund into real estate
development, tourism e.t.c.
Due to the urgent nature of this transaction you are requested to give me a
call if you are interested as soon as possible on the below number.
Best regards,
Mr Rafidah Umu.
Mobile Cell +27 719 544 120
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Anti-fraud resources:
