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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:
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million united states 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)
- "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- 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.
- mrs.lulajones@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: lula <senart@senartgallery.com>
Date: Thu, 21 Jan 2016 06:31:40 +0100 (CET)
Subject: Re: US$ 9.7 million Transfer Nigerian investment authority (N.I.A).
Dear Honorable One
I am Mrs. Lula Heiley Jones ,currently working as the head of strategy at
Nigerian investment authority (N.I.A). Victoria Island Lagos. I am contacting
you based on satisfactory information I had about your country during my last
official visit to United States on a financial conference with other Gulf
countries.
I am soliciting for your private indulgence in transferring US$ 9.7 million
United States dollars into any reliable bank Account overseas. This fund was
generated from over-invoicing of contracts executed by Nigerian investment
authority (N.I.A) under my control and supervision. This fund is now ready to be
remitted into any Account I may put forward to that purpose. What I want from
you is a good and reliable company or personal Account into which the bank shall
transfer this fund).
However, upon a receipt of your reply, an application shall be made in your name
to the bank for approval and
immediate transfer which shall be by any of the bellow options/methods of
payment to enhance the immediate
payment in your name.
1) By ATM Card Payment
2) By Telegraphic Wire Transfer Payment.
Once your reponce in regards to this is received, we shall immediately file a
copies of the approval and other
relevant documents shall be faxed to you for your perusal. Please treat as
strictly confidential for obvious reasons. At the conclusion of this transaction
I am giving you 40% of the total amount also I assure you that your involvement
should you decide to assist me will be well protected, this business proposal is
100% risk free as the remittance will be made through the legal procedures.
Note: your discussions regarding this transaction should be limited because I am
still in government service. I intend to end my contract peacefully at the end
of this transaction. However, your prompt reply will be highly appreciated via
my the zenith banking mail management bellow.
Email: mrs.lulajones@yahoo.com
Best Regards.
>From The Desk Of
Mrs. Lula Jones
Head of Strategy at Nigerian investment authority (N.I.A). Victoria Island
Lagos.
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Anti-fraud resources:
