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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)
- "sani abacha" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
Fraud email example:
From: umarabdulmalikq@gmail.com
Reply-To: umarabdulmalik101@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 30 Jun 2017 12:30:52 +0000
Subject: hello
I am sincerely Sorry for bugging into your privacy, it's due to a
business deal in Nigeria valued at 175.5 Million US dollars, This
money is scattered around four countries.This money is my inheritance since
I am the son of The late General Sani Abacha.l am Alhaji Umar Abdulmalik Abacha
a son to the former president of Nigeria. This opportunity will be of
mutual benefit good for the two of us.
I would provide you with all the necessary documents to lay claims
and also I would avail you with the modalities we shall follow once
I hear from you because of the Nigerian Government probe i would endeavor
you to keep to yourself issue concerning this proposal.You can view the
underlisted website to have an indepth knowlegde of who my father really
was and why i have to transfer this money now
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/109297.stm
My mother is aware of this deal and would be willing to talk to you
about this deal.If you are interested, kindly get back to me with your
full contact informations Upon your response l will give you more details
about this transaction, if not interested you can delete this mail.
Regards,
Alhaji Umar Abdulmalik Abacha
Tel:+234-701-467-3355
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Anti-fraud resources:
