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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:
- "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "foreign exchange" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "KINGSLEY UDARA" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <kingsudara12345@outlook.com>
Date: Sat, 7 Mar 2015 14:24:29 +0100
Subject: CONFIDENTIAL AND URGENT
Dear Sir,
Kindly contact me urgently hear details of this secret plot to steal your funds from our Settlement Platform. Kindly TREAT THIS MESSAGE WITH UTMOST URGENCY.
Some rich and highly influential Saudi businessman wants to steal your contract inheritance funds. I believe it is not actually his fault because some officials told him you are dead, so he believed the documents/evidence presented to him and he is now pushing the process as your heir (next-of-kin) with a wrong belief. I am revealing this to you because I think it is not right what they are doing to you, and you should not be oppressed and intimidated by the supper rich and the highly connected.
I will give you more details upon your response; that is if you will permit me to direct you on how best to approach this situation. Fortunately, this hijack has now turned to favor you because you are likely not going to pay any more fees as the imposter has already paid all the processing charges and is now awaiting Foreign Exchange approval for the fund release which is now being delayed due to National revenue drop caused by the dwindling Crude oil prize which is the major source of the country’s revenue. Upon your response I will give you the official website and links to the Saudi Billionaire so you can contact him directly and tell him the truth that you are not dead.
I assume he should be a true Muslim, and I strongly believe that he will hands off your claim once he realizes that you are not dead because the Muslim faith detests earning money through fraud, cheating and subjugating of the poor.
Thanks.
MR. KINGSLEY UDARA
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Anti-fraud resources:
