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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:
- "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)
- "hundred thousand united state 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)
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- This email message is a orphan scam.
Fraud email example:
From: Suzy Wilson <mb2540747@gmail.com>
Reply-To: Suzy Wilson <wilson.suzy99@yahoo.fr>
Date: Mon, 5 Oct 2015 19:47:58 +0900 (JST)
Subject: From: Miss Suzy Wilson.
From: Miss Suzy Wilson.
Dear Respectful one, I am totally convinced to write you in reference of the transfer of (funds) to your account for onward investment (industries) in your country. Though we have not met before but I strongly believe that one has to confiding in someone to succeed sometimes in life. There is this amount of Twelve Million Five Hundred Thousand United State Dollars (US$12.5 million dollars) which my late Father (Late Dr. Wilfred N. Wilson) deposited for me in storage firm in Côte d’Ivoire before he was assassinated by some unknown hoodlums in ongoing political war in my country.
Because of recent political/civil war eructed here, I decided to invest this money in your country or anywhere safe enough outside Africa for security and political reasons. I want you to help me to transfer this fund to your country for investment. If you can be of assistance to me, I will be pleased to offer to you 40% of this total fund (indicated above). Further details will be made known to you on confirmation of your interest to assist me.
Your urgent reply will be highly appreciated.
Thank you and God bless.
Miss Suzy Wilson.
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Anti-fraud resources:
