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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:
- "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. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Yusuf Mohammed" <marie@catniger.ne>
Reply-To: yusuf_mohammed19700@yahoo.co.jp
Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 11:23:46 +0100
Subject: Warmest greetings
Warmest greetings,
I am Yusuf Mohammed, the Personal Assistant on financial matters to the
Former President Mubarak of Egypt who is facing trail presently in my
Country Egypt. I want you to see this as an opportunity for us to
establish a very good relationship; I made away with the sum of $48
million and escaped from my country Egypt before the arrest of my Boss
since these funds were in my Custody.
I have deposited the money in a security company in Ghana before arriving
Nigeria to take a shelter. Please I want you to reply me now so I can give
you more information's as we go into Partnership and how I want this funds
to be invested in your country before I and my family will finally come
over to your country.
Please I want you to keep this transaction to yourself In the event you
are not interested, I sincerely ask that you disregard this email and tell
no one about it as I am seriously in need of capable and honest person to
conclude this with me.
Yours truly,
Yusuf Mohammed.
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Anti-fraud resources:
