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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "contact me immediately" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
Fraud email example:
From: Hamid Musa <mr_hamidmusa01@voila.fr>
Date: Mon, 13 Aug 2012 20:06:29 +0100 (BST)
Subject: URGENT MONEY TRANSFER/ TREAT AND REPLY IMMEDIATELY
Dear Friend,
I am Mr Hamid Musa incharge of the auditing unit of islamic developement Bank, Burkina faso in west Africa . I have the opportunity of transfering abandoned fund ($14 million) of late Sir Ratnavale Victor, dual citizen of Switzerland and Britain whom died in a Plane crash on Monday the 7th of September 1998 GMT 14:22 UK alongside his only daughter while they were travelling from New York to Geneva living nobody as the next of kin to the fund.I discovered the fund during the bank auditing and the fund has remained dormant in his account ..
I am ready to share 60/40 with you if you choose to stand as my deceased client next of kin. If interested mail me back.
PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATIONS.
NAME .............. SEX MALE AGE............ MARITAL MARRIED TATUS COUNTRY .....
CONTACTADDRESS.........
PHONE NO.... FAX NO.................. OCCUPATION .......
Best regards,
Mr Hamid MusaNOTE
You should contact me immediately as soon as you receive this letterTrusting to hear from you immediately.
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Anti-fraud resources:
