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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)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
Fraud email example:
From: sam <mrsamappah01@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 29 Mar 2014 12:48:15 +0100 (CET)
Subject: FROM MR SAM APPAH
Dear Friend,
I am a senior officer at my bank in Ghana, I have a business opportunity to
propose you. We had a foreign client who is a Gold Merchant from your country.
Deposited a large sum of money with our bank. Eventually, died in a car
accident without next of kin. I want to introduce you to my bank as the next of
kin and you will take 50% as your shear.
If you are interested contact me at my email address only with your name and
phone number
Mr. Sam Appah
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Anti-fraud resources:
