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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "a security company " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "waiting for your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- aishafi@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Aisha Gaddafi <aishgafffi@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 6 Jun 2015 00:02:58 +0100
Subject: Joint Venture
Dear Friend,
Assalamu alaikum, I am Ms. Aisha Gaddafi the daughter of Late Muammar
Gaddafi the slammed Libyan president.
Firstly, I must solicit your confidence in this transaction; this is by
virtue of its nature being utterly confidential and topmost secret because
of my present situation here in Oman as a fugitive. therefore I am writing
you for an assistance and soliciting you to help to transfer huge sum of
Fourteen Million Seven hundred And Fifty Thousand United states dollars and
Golds deposited secretly with a security company for an investment by you
in your country and to also assist me to move from Oman to your country.
I am in good faith waiting for your urgent response with your full name,
age, occupation and marital status with telephone Number via:
aishafi@hotmail.com for more details.
Regards,
Ms. Aisha.
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Anti-fraud resources:
