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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:
- "will come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "hundred thousand united states 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)
- "abidjan" (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: hassan amina <aminahassan52@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <aminahassan838@yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 15 May 2014 21:31:41 +0200
Subject: good day
Hello my dearest
I know that my mail will come to you as a surprise since you do not know me. Please,i am very sorry if I disturb your privacy. It is my pleasure to contact you for a business venture which I intend to establish in your country.after going true your profield
The reason why I have contacted you this way is because of the urgent need and pressure which I am now facing to find some one to help me.
My Late father( HASSAN ) who was the former Minister of Economy and Finance of Laurent Gbagbo and died on January 11, 2012,but before his death, he deposited a huge amount of Six million, Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars (US$6.5Million) in one of the lea ding bank here in Abidjan cote d'Ivoire.Urgently am looking for your help to guide me on how this money will be transferred abroad so that I can move out of here to continue my education in your country while you take charge of the investment with the money.
I am humbly seeking your godly assistance in the following ways; To provide a bank account into which this money would be transferred and to serve as a guardian of this money since am an Orphans and still very young.
If you can be of an assistance to me,I will be pleased to offer to you 30% Of the total money. Please I am waiting for your response urgently so that I can discuss more with you.
God Bless you
Needy.Love
Ms.Amina HASSAHN
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Anti-fraud resources:
