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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:
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "top secret" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr Saif Himma" <siaf_himma@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: mrsiaf.himma@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 29 Jun 2016 12:28:38 +0600
Subject: Please assist me to Invest in Lucrative Business in your country
Hello
My name is Mr Saif Himma i work in the bank. I get your contact from
internet search i hope that you will not betray this trust and confident
that am about to repose in you for the benefit of our both families i am
in need of your help as a foreigner to transfer sum of $10.350.000.00
million U.S dollars (Eleven million Seven Hundred and fifty U.S dollars)
into your account risk is completely 100% free.
Please I will like you to keep this proposal as top secret and Also note
that you will have 35% of the above mentioned fund, while 65% will be for
me if you agree to transact this business with me I will give you full
details of this transaction immediately you notify me your interest by
sending your data.
Your Full Name..
Your Country..
Your Age....
Your Occupation.
Phone Number..
Office Address.
Copy of your passport or id card.
Please assist me to Invest in Lucrative Business in your country
NOTE: As you finished reading this letter send mail to me immediately if
you are Interested.
Best Regards
Mr Saif Himma
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Anti-fraud resources:
