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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: "Dr.Rafaa Swesi" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <rafaa_swesi@yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 12 Jun 2014 00:56:07 +0200
Subject: How about your family? Kindly Reply
Greetings,
Re: Investment of $65 Million Dollars:
I am Dr.Rafaa Swesi the personal aid to Late Muattasim Ghadaffi. Following the recent rebellion in my country and the brutal death of my boss on the 20 Oct 2011, I have been thrown into a state of utter confusion, frustration and hopelessness; I have been subjected to physical and psychological torture by the security agents in Algeria where we seek refuge at present.
http://www.dnaindia.com/world/report_muammar-gaddafi-son-mo-tassim-killed_1601247
My boss was killed by the rebels for an offense he did not commit. I have lost confidence with anybody within the country. I got your contact here in skype and out of desperation decided to reach you through this medium. I repose great confidence in you hence my approach to you due to security network placed on my day
to day affairs I cannot afford to visit the embassy so that is why I decided to contact you and I hope you will not betray my confidence.
I shall be grateful if you could receive some funds into your account for safe keeping the amount is {$65 million dollars}. This arrangement is known to you and me alone as I deposited the funds for my boss early last year for a giant project in Venezuela before the uprising in my country started which toppled the Ghadaffi government. I am seriously considering relocating to your country once the fund is transferred to you for investment. I will be willing to offer you 35% of the total fund if only you will receive this fund and keep it for safe keeping pending my arrival. This transaction is 100% risky free as the fund was deposited in my name, there was no connection with any other person.
Please In case you do not accept please do not let me out to the security as I am giving you this information in total trust and confidence. I will greatly appreciate if you accept my proposal in good faith. I appreciate your timely suggestion and interest over this matter
Best Regards
Dr.Rafaa Swesi
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