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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: gymnik <investmentsi@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: sesay54@yahoo.com
Date: Tue, 07 Aug 2012 18:18:38 +0200
Subject: BusinessPartnership
Dear Friend,
This proposal is strictly addressed to you for your consideration.
I have a business proposition involving the sum of US$17.2M. This fund was realized from diamond sales and diverted by a small group for personal benefit. The group consists of top corrupt government officials in the then Sierra Leon government and my father spear headed the group.
Unfortunately for the group, everyone involve in the deal lost their lives during the civil war that went on for a decade in Sierra Leon.
The sum of US$17.2M was left abandoned following the death of every member of this group including my father. My proposition is this, I recently discovered a Secret Documents in my father’s farm which will permit me to transfer ownership of the funds to you. For your cooperation I am willing to share the funds with you.
If you are interested, we can make a deal and have the funds shared 50-50 without legal implication attached. Please send me your direct telephone numbers for discussion of this offer in further details.
Awaiting your urgent reply.
My regards.
Abu Sesay
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Anti-fraud resources:
