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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:
- "00,000.00" (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 orphan scam.
Fraud email example:
From: Miss Zafirah Omar Rafiq <zarafiq9999@gmail.com>
Reply-To: Miss Zafirah Omar Rafiq <zrafiqq99@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 27 Aug 2015 11:51:52 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Assalamu alaikum I am Miss.Zafirah Omar Rafiq
Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahe wa barakatohu.
I am Miss Zafirah Omar Rafiq 18 years old, the only Daughter Of Late Mr. And Mrs.Omar Rafiq From Burkina Faso, I am an Orphan being that I lost my Parents. My Father was a serving director of the Gold mining board in Burkina Faso here during His days. My Father was poisoned to death by his Family members because of His wealth. Before his death He deposited the sum ($4.500,000.00 USA Dollars) in a truck box in a security Firm Please i want you to help me get my fund out so that i can come join you and further my education.
As soon as i hear from you i will give you all details about this fund and where it was deposited,
thanks and God bless you.
Miss Zafirah Omar Rafiq
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Anti-fraud resources:
