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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:
- "top secret" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
- "transaction5050@outlook.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "dr.richardmorganxv@libero.it" <dr.richardmorganxv@libero.it>
Date: Wed, 30 Oct 2013 15:15:18 +0100 (CET)
Subject: LETS US INVEST TOGETHER
>From Dr. Richard Morgan
The Head of File and Auditing Department.
United Bank For Africa Ghana Plc.(U.B.A).
In West Africa Country
Email:transaction5050@outlook.com
TOP SECRET
REMITTANCE OF US$1.8M CONFIDENTIAL IS THE
CASE.
This message might meet you in utmost surprise. However, it's just my Urgent
need for foreign partner that made me to contact you for this transaction. I am
a banker by profession from West Africa and currently holding the post of
director Auditing and accounting unit of the bank.
I have the opportunity of transferring the left over Funds ($1.8 million) of
one of our customers who died with his entire family on October 6, 2003 ISRAEL
BOMBS SITE IN SYRIA. Hence, I am inviting you for a business deal where this
money can be shared between us in the ratio of 60/40. I will like to inform you
that this transaction is 100% risk free, while further details of the transfer
will be forwarded to you as soon as I receive your return mail. Your Urgent
response is needed for immediate transfer of this fund into any bank account
you may nominate. what is your profession? send your mobile number for
discuss.
Note that this transaction will never in any way harm or foiled your good post
or reputation in your country, because everything will follow legal process.
there is no trace of the funds as far as my position in the bank is concerned.
I am looking forward to hear from you soonest.
Yours faithfully,
Dr. Richard Morgan
U.B.A PLC
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Anti-fraud resources:
