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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 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)
- "(ecowas)" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- "ecowas " (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- "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: adamson lucas <adamsonlucas3@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 16 Jul 2014 14:32:45 +0200
Subject: STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL
STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL
OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN
CONTRACT AWARDING COMMITTE
ECOWAS HEADQUARTERS LOME,
REPUBLIC OF TOGO
ACCOUNT PROVISION FOR USD 9.5 MILLION USA DOLLARS.
Attn please,
Forgive my Indignation if this message comes to you as a surprise and
If It might offend you without your prior consent and writing through
this channel. I am Mr. Lucas Adamson, The Chairman, Contract Awarding
committee of the ECONOMIC COMMUNITY OF WEST AFRICAN STATES (ECOWAS)
with Headquarters in Lome, Togo. I need your services In the transfer
of the sum of USD 9.5 MILLION. (Nine Million and Five Hundred
Thousand United States
Dollars only.) Into your account and I will furnish you more details
If you Indicate your Interest. We will provide all legal documents to
back up the transaction.
This fund is an over invoice amount of 9.5m USD being kept in escrow
account and i am a cilvil sarvant and that is why i need your
partnership.
Kindly respond for more details on this successful transactions.
Thank you and remain blessed.
My kind regards.
Mr. Lucas Adamson.
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Anti-fraud resources:
