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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)
- "contract award committee" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- "abuja" (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.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
Fraud email example:
From: Nuru Rabadu <nururabadu@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 21 Dec 2013 04:23:10 -0800
Subject: INFORMATION ON INVESTMENT
Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development
5th floor, Annex 3
New Federal Secretariat Complex
Shehu Shagari Way
Phone:+234-7032254391
Dear Friend,
I got your contact today, with hope you are reliable and trustworthy.
I am the head of contract award committee and 14 project allocation
manager in Department of Minerals and Natural Resources here in
ABUJA-WEST AFRICA NIGERIA. I need your assistance to bank (USD
10.5Million) and subsequent investment it on properties in your
country urgently. You will be required to.
(1) Assist in the banking safely of the said funds
(2) Advise on lucrative areas for investment
(3) Assist in purchase of properties.
If you can render your assistance in this regard, 20% of the total
investment sum will be for you as your commission. It will be done
under a legitimate process so that we will not breach any
international or local laws governing the same. Making it a 100% risk
free. I wait in anticipation of your reply and co-operation.
Best Regards,
Mr.Ahmed Rabadu
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Anti-fraud resources:
