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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:
- "will come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million united states 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: Greub Hein <bamasa10@qq.com>
Date: Sun, 18 Jan 2015 01:55:53 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: Transfer Deal.
Hello,I have a proposal of Fund Transfer DEAL worth One Hundred and Seventy Million United States Dollars (US$170,000 000.00) i will like to discuss with you. I know that this message will come to you as a surprise as we never met before, this however is not mandatory nor WILL i in any manner compel you to honor it against your WILL. If you are interested in my proposal deal, Please Write me back for full details. Regards, Mr.Hein.
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Anti-fraud resources:
