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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:
- "million dollars" (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: David Obanor <roger.moore520@gmail.com>
Reply-To: david2obanor@yahoo.com
Date: Sun, 2 Mar 2014 05:19:28 +0100
Subject: l AM SOURCING FOR A LIFE TIME PARTNER
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I am David Obanor the Director of Project & Chairman Contract Awarding
Committee of the
Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation ( NNPC). l awarded a contract
to German Firm and the contract has been executed and commissioned.
I have a standing agreement with the German firm that if the contract
is awarded to his firm he will compensate me with 10% of the total
contract sum.
The German firm has completed the contract and has received his
payment, leaving behind my 10%.l need reliable person as a business
associate to assist for the claim of the fund since l am still in
active service with the Government, its against the ethic of the
corporation for me to make such money while still in active service.
This money emanated from a contract worth of $280Million Dollars on
laying on of Pipe Lines at Kaduna Refinery. My 10% is $28Million. I
need your help for a successful transfer of this funds to your
account and proper investment of the funds for me.
Please l wait for your GOD giving response,
Thanks,
David Obanor
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Anti-fraud resources:
