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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:
- "any lucrative business in your country" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "hundred thousand united state 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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- This email message is a orphan scam.
Fraud email example:
From: ritaadams0@yahoo.co.jp
Date: Thu, 23 Oct 2014 22:16:23 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Dear good friend,
Dear good friend,
>
>I am Ms.Rita Adams from India,the only child of my Late parents, being that I lost my
parents few years ago, My Father was a serving director of the Cocoa
exporting board until his death.
>
>He
Died few years ago in a motor accident after he was rushed to the
hospital here in India my country. Before his death he deposited some
money in one of the banks
here and told me to seek for a reliable / Trustworthy partner in abroad
to help me invest the money for my future and the amount is US$2.5m
>(Two
Million Five Hundred Thousand United State Dollars)
>
>According to my Father the money
is meant for onward transfer to the partner in abroad for investment.Please i want you to look for any Lucrative business in
your country where we can invest this money as soon as the bank will transfer it to your account in your country.
>
>This is my reason for writing to you.
Please if you are Interested to assist me you can contact me as soon as
possible for more details. for your information i have set aside 20%
from the total amount for your assistance to me at the end of the
transaction.
>
>Remain Blessed
>Rita.
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Anti-fraud resources:
