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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)
- "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)
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr.S. Muhamede" <mrsuleman226@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 5 Jul 2014 12:38:20 +0000
Subject: Reply urgent
Dear Friend,
I am a senior staff at my bank in Republic of Burkina-Faso, we had a
Gold Merchant foreign client who has a large sum of ($2.3million
dollars) in my bank Eventually, died in an accident without next of
kin, I want to introduce you to my bank as his next of kin so that my
bank will transfer the fund to your bank account and you will take 50%
as your shear and 50% for me. It's 100% risk free. Kindly furnish me
with your data's such as: A scanned copy of your international
passport or id card and Private telephone.
Remain Blessed,
Mr.S.Muhamede
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Anti-fraud resources:
