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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "huge amount of money" (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)
- "very confidential" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "power of attorney" (with your bank details and a power of attorney form criminals sometimes empty bank accounts)
- "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- esq_isiakariam@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Isiaka Riam Esq." (may be fake)
Date: Tue, 9 Sep 2014 17:16:08 -0700
Subject: VERY URGENT!
Dear friend,
Hope you are doing great. Am Barr.Isiaka Riam from Nigeria.I have carefully gone through your profile and satisfied that I can trust and execute some very confidential financial transaction/projects with you.
I would want to first have this confidence and trust confirmed to me by you before I proceed with details but I want to assure you that this is one rear opportunity life can offer.
Secondly,I want to be very transparent and frank with you because it is the key factor that can make us succeed in this deal as it makes you understand what exactly you are getting yourself involved in. This transaction requires your assistance to facilitate movement/transfer of huge amount of money($25.5 Millions USD) to your country for investment purpose. You will play the role of the present beneficiary. All structures have been put in place to facilitate the transaction without any hitch or problem. And also, I must state with emphasis that this is not one of those scam or fraud. Trust me and give it a trial and you will be happy you did.
So far so good,I will give details when am convinced you are ready to work with me. You can also send your direct telephone number to enhance communication.
Lastly, I will tell you who is our principal in this because he was the foraml Central Bank of Nigeria Governor whom was inpeached from office and now he is the traditional ruler of his state and for this reasons he will not or never pertake in this transaction for security reasons.
Note: All power of attorney will be giving to you to handle this transaction as the real owner of fund so in your reply to this message i will give you full details of our dealing and how these fund will get to your country.
Waiting to hear from you.
Truly yours,
Isiaka Riam Esq.
All responses to be channel through Email: esq_isiakariam@yahoo.com
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