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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "please indicate your interest" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "there is no risk involved" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
- "nigeria national petroleum corporation" (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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Dr. Idris Dantata" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <dr.idrisdantata003@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Fri, 9 Jan 2015 08:48:14 -0800
Subject: ***VigorPro BULK*** ARE YOU INTERESTED IN THIS OFFER?
Dear Friend
I am sorry for contacting you through this medium without any previous Notice. I am a senior staff with Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, (NNPC). I and a colleague over-invoiced a contract award to the tune of $48.5MUSD. All arrangement has been concluded on how to transfer this fund into a safe foreign account after the original contractor has been fully Paid.
As civil servants, we are not allowed to operate foreign account, this is Why I am seeking your mutual assistance. If you are willing to assist, I will furnish you with the full blue print. There is no risk Involved and the fund approval will have a full legal backing. Be rest Assured that this is open and transparent.
Please indicate your interest by sending your full name, your contact address your ID and your phone number so that we can talk.
Please treat with utmost confidentiality.
Best Regard,
Dr. Idris Dantata.
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Anti-fraud resources:
