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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)
- "huge deposit" (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)
- "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.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- kokomensah22@yahoo.com (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: mensah koffi <mensahkkf@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 12 Feb 2014 09:54:38 +0000
Subject: HI
Dear friend
I am Mr Mensah Koko personal accountant to an Engineer who made a huge
deposit of US$4,600,000.00 with our bank before his death, he died with his
children in a fire accident, the wife who is the next of kin has been
diagnose with Colon and Rental Cancer, she has but 2 months to live so she
cannot claim this funds. She ask me to contact you so that she can transfer
the funds to you for charity purpose because she wish to donate 60% of the
funds to the Charity while 40% is for you assistance. Contact me at
kokomensah22@yahoo.com with your email address and phone numbers for more
details.
Yours Mensah Koko
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Anti-fraud resources:
