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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:
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "top secret" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: LUKE SANFO <lukesanfo01@hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 29 Jan 2015 18:48:48 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: Dear Friend
 My name is Luke Sanfo a banker.I get your contact from yahoo business search i hope that you will not expose or betray this trust and confident that am about to repose in you for the benefit of our both families.i am in need of your help as a foreigner to transfer sum of $15 million U.S dollars (Fifteen million U.S dollars) into your account risk is completely %100 free.
Please I will like you to keep this proposal as a top secret or delete it from your mail box,if you are not interested. also note that you will have 40% of the above mentioned sum, if you agree to transact this business with me, while 60% will be for me.I will give you full details of this transaction immediately you notify me your interest by sending your data.
Your Full Name.
Your Country.
Your Age.
Your Occupation.
Phone Number
Office Address.
Copy of your passport or id card.
Regards
Mr.Luke Sanfo.
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Anti-fraud resources:
