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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:
- "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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Miss fatia ajani <missfatiaajani04@yahoo.co.jp>
Reply-To: missfatiaajani@yahoo.com.ph
Date: Sun, 21 Apr 2013 20:41:45 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: FROM:MISS FATIA AJANI,
Hello Dear,
I am Miss Fatia Ajani from Sierra Leone .I am an Orphan being that I lost my parents of years ago during the war in Cote d'Ivoire. I hope you are aware of the war which has ravaged in this country for the past years now and before my father's death he made a deposit of ( USD$700,000.00 US dollars ) with a bank.
After the burial of my late father I call bank to withdraw the money so that I can start a better life and take care of myself the International Remittance Manager of the Bank whom I call in told me that my father's instruction to the bank that, the money will be release to me only when I am married or present a trustee who will help me and invest the money in overseas. I will like continuation of my studies there also. I have chosen to contact you after my prayers and I believe that you will not betray my trust. But rather take me as your own daughter.
Please i want you to help and invest this money in your country, I will offer you 20% of the Total amount.
I am waiting for your
response
Miss Fatia Ajani
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Anti-fraud resources:
