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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 us 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: Dr Lehman <drlehmann@yahoo.fr>
Date: Fri, 26 Dec 2014 11:29:26 +0100
Subject: read and reply
Dear Friend,
i need your kind attention. I will be very glad if you do assist me to
relocate this sum of ( $15.Million US dollars.) to your bank account for
the benefit of our both families.
only i cannot operate it alone without using a Foreigner who will stand as
a beneficiary to the money, that is why i decided to contact you in a good
manner to assist me and also to share the benefit together with me.
for the sharing of the fund 50/50 base on the fact that it is two man
business note that you are not taking any risk because there will be a
legal back up document as well which will back the money up into your bank
account there in your country.
all i need from you now is to indicate your interest and I will send you
the full details on how the business will be executed.
Regards,
Lehman
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Anti-fraud resources:
