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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 us 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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Pedro Nguema" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mr.pedroondonguema@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 11 May 2017 19:33:11 +0300
Subject: HI
My name is Pedro Nguema, I am the attorney to former president Yahya Jammeh of Gambia
Who is currently in exile in Equatorial Guinea. Prior his outs from power in February 2017 he moved a huge some of money and gold amounting to $48 million US dollars. Currently the funds are in a security firm here. He has informed me to look for a reliable foreign partner who will claim this money on his behalf and work with him to invest the funds in your country.
I have been instructed to inform you that 25% of the total sum will be given to your as your percentage
for assisting in moving this money safely to your country.
I anticipate your quick response for further Information and instructions.
Below are officials site in regards the situation:
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/01/jammeh-arrives-banjul-airport-stepping-170121210246506.html
http://www.newsweek.com/gambias-yahya-jammeh-looted-11-million-two-weeks-official-546880
http://globalnews.ca/news/3198623/exiled-gambian-ruler-yahya-jammeh-looted-millions-from-state-coffers-on-his-way-out/
Best regards
Pedro Nguema
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Anti-fraud resources:
