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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:
- "to your nominated bank account" (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)
- "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: Mr George Opoku <mrgopoku@yahoo.de>
Reply-To: mr.georgeopoku@yahoo.com
Date: Wed, 15 Oct 2014 02:06:31 +0000
Subject: BUSINESS OFFER
Good Day,My Friend
Please, I ask for permission to talk you through this medium, as I
search for foreign partnership.
In my job a position as one of the directors of the High Way
Authorities, my office was responsible for payment and settlement of
contractors who carry out these projects in Ghana High-ways Roads. As
the Chairman of these organization, there is still a balance left
behind which presents a unique opportunity for our mutual benefit as a
result of over-invoiced I generated during the ordering process. I
estimate a grand sum of nothing less than 8.8 Million Dollars which
can be transferred to your nominated Bank account as one of the
contractors that participated in the project.
All I need is for you to simply claim the contract payment for work
done. I will furnish you with all necessary documentation that will
enable you claim these payments with ease through my office and
provide you with strategic risk free guidance. I will also like you to
hold in your care my share and invest in viable real estate or other
profitable and safe investment vehicles you deem right while I arrange
meeting you up. It’s simple and straight forward. All you need to do
now is to reply expressing interest so I provide further information
for us to precede in accordance with law .If this is also not an
opportunity you will like to pursue, I will respect and appreciate you
bowing out.
Do get back to me.
Thanks for your time.
Sincerely yours
Mr.George
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Anti-fraud resources:
