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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:
- "hundred thousand u.s 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)
- ",500,000" (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.
Fraud email example:
From: Tony Adams <tonyams58@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 2 Jun 2014 23:53:02 -0700
Subject: Dear Sir
Dear Sir
It is my great pleasure in writing you this letter on behalf of my
colleagues and myself. I have decided to seek a confidential cooperation
with you in establishing a profitable business for the benefit of all
parties since we are still in active service.we have in our possession as
overdue payment bills totaling Twenty- One Million, Five Hundred Thousand
U.S Dollars (US$21,500,000.00) which we want to transfer abroad with
assistance and cooperation of a foreign company and/or individual to
receive the said fund on our behalf or a reliable Foreign account
non/company to receive such fund.
Indicate your willingness in assisting us.
Thanks for your cooperation
Yours truly,
Engr. Tony Adams.
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Anti-fraud resources:
