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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:
- "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. )
- "may come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "the consignment" (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)
- "million 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)
- "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "the diplomat " ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- This email message is a orphan scam.
Fraud email example:
From: kelly.motanga21@yahoo.com.ph
Reply-To: mail.kelly.motanga@gmail.com
Date: Sat, 12 Sep 2015 22:12:53 +0200
Subject: RE
This mail may come to you as a surprise base on the fact that we have not met. Please I need your help my name is KELLY MOTANGA am 26 years of age the son of a late minister during the reign of President Mobutu SeseSeko in Democratic Republic of Congo I decide to contact you because I believe you are a reputable person and I felt you can help us over this confidential matter.
My father was killed during the rebel attack and our house was burnt down We manage to escape to Accra Ghana with my mum and kid sister where we are now taking refuge.
Before the death of my father he deposited 20 MILLION DOLLARS with a Security Company in Ghana. When my late father heard of the plot to kill him, he instructed the Security Company in Ghana to move the boxes containing the Money to OVERSEA by diplomatic Courier Service.
But unfortunately my Father could not escape out of CONGO he was eventually killed, though he could not claim the Boxes before his untimely death. The boxes is presently in Under the care of the Diplomat that moved it to OVERSEA is in the care of the diplomatic shipping company that take it to OVERSEA but the Diplomat or the Customs don't know that it is Money that is in the Boxes.
My late father partner that we contact to help us receive the consignments is acting very greedy and we do not trust him anymore so my mum put a stop to the delivery of the consignments to him. Please we need you to help us receive the consignments in your custody.
More so, We need you to help us invest this money in a lucrative business your country and take us as one family and you will also buy a house for us over there where we can live safely. We are prepared to compensate you with 20% of the money for your assistance.
Please I am counting on your integrity and honesty to be able to handle this business transaction. I hope to hear from you soon.
Best Regards,
Kelly Motanga.
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