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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "death certificate" (this phrase is often used in inheritance scams such as next of kin or https://419scam.org/419-murdered-businessman.htm">orphan scams. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: John Ofori <johnoforiattah006@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 15 Jan 2017 00:40:53 -0800
Subject: RE: I WISH YOU A HAPPY NEW YEAR..
Dear Sir,
How are you doing? I wish you a prosperous and happy new year.
However, some years back, I did a favor for a business man who was an
oil and cocoa merchant in Africa and Europe. During the Arab spring he
made a lot of money from the fall out of the uprising and I helped him
hide his money which he finally moved gradually to Europe without any
problem.
I am ready for investment in Coffee, real estate development of any
viable business you can suggest.
He also then compensated me with a this fund which he enabled me then
deposit as a proxy because of the higher officers in the bank and
government officials who might poke there noses into the deal. He
deposited the funds that it belongs to a foreign partner who I will
provide to claim the funds later.
Unfortunately, he died out of shock because of tax related issues in
his own country.
Right now national election is fast approaching in my country and I
need to claim out this funds. I was reliably informed that you are a
very good person but I do not know whether you are capable of handling
such a huge sum.
I decided to choose you to be my foreign partner whom I will present
to the bank as the owner of the funds. I will guide you all through in
the deal.
I have the original copies of the proof of funds and deposits for your
records if you want to see them.
That is a testimony for your reality. I also do have the original
death certificate of the man who deposited the funds for me if you
wish to see it as well. The total fund involved is US$107 Million but
initial processing funds will be US$18 Million.
The funds will be moved in gradual succession and bear in mind that
all modalities are in motion to remit the funds. I will send you the
bank form to make formal application for transfer.
I wait for your response today.
John.
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