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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:
- "dearest one," (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "hundred thousand u.s 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)
- "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)
- "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Rose Akah <roseaka1966@yahoo.fr>
Reply-To: roseaka202@yahoo.co.jp
Date: Thu, 26 Apr 2012 17:12:58 +0100 (BST)
Subject: FROM:Rose Aka
FROM:Rose Aka
PLOT 102 RUE 12 KOUMASSI 32
ABIDJAN COTE D' IVOIRE
West Africa
Dearest One,
It's my pleasure to contact you for a business venture, which I intend to establish in your country, Though I have not met with you before but I believe,one has to risk confiding in someone to succeed sometimes in life.my name is Rose Aka from sierra Leone i am 21 years old .
There is this huge amount of Eigt million Five hundred thousand U.S dollars ($8,500,000.00) which my late Father deposited in one of the prime banks here in Abidjan before he was assasinated by unknow gangs. but before his death he was the Director of Mines and power in mende district in sierra leone.Now i as the only daughter decided to invest these money in your country or any where safe enough outside Africa for security and political reasons.
i want you to help me to transfer this fund to your country for investment purposes on the followings below:
1). Telecommunication
2). Automobile manufacturing
3). Five star hotel
If you can be of an assistance to me i will be pleased to offer to you 15% Of the total fund.Extend my warmest regards to your family.
I await your soonest response..
Thank you and God bless you.
Sincerely Yours
Rose Aka
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