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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:
- "liberia" (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.
Fraud email example:
From: cecelia ibru <ceceliaibru@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 7 Mar 2014 14:24:16 +0100
Subject: Re Mrs. Cecelia. Ibru
Dear
This is a private deal and I want to confide in you for a successful relocation. I have urgent assignment that requires your help; I was the CEO of Oceanic bank when the former Liberian president; Charles Taylor was granted asylum in my country. Eventually, there was pressure from UN to hand him over to Hague for war crime trial.
On arrival to my country, his financial consultant concealed his fund in my bank based on his instruction. But due to UN pressure, he was arrested trying to enter Cameroun and he is in Hague now facing trial. Now, he asked the consultant to find a reliable account that will secure the fund for him because the trial is not in his favor. This is why I contacted you for help to secure the fund and you will be adequately rewarded. The amount is $110m; right now the fund is in Amsterdam.
Please get back to me if you are willing to help.
Sincerely yours
Chief Mrs. Cecelia. Ibru
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Anti-fraud resources:
