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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:
- "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)
- "keep this confidential" (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.
- 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.bettylouise22@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Mrs Betty Louise Kaechler <mrsbettylouisek@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 4 Sep 2017 20:45:58 +0000
Subject: Dear Beloved One,
Dear Beloved One,
I am Mrs Betty Louise Kaechler, and I have been suffering from ovarian
cancer disease and the doctor says that I have just FEW days to live.
I am from (USA) but based in Africa Burkina Faso since Twelve years
ago as a business woman dealing with gold exportation.
Now that I am about to end the race like this, without any family
members and no child, I have $3 Million US DOLLARS in Africa
Development Bank (ADB) Burkina Faso which I instructed the bank to
transfer to the (St Andrews Missionary Home) in Burkina Faso and I
also have $7.5 Million US Dollars at the (Central Bank Of Burkina Faso
‘BCEAO’) here in Burkina Faso and I have instructed the Central bank
of Burkina Faso to transfer the $7.5 Million US Dollars to the first
Foreigner that will apply to the bank after I have gone. And that they
should release the fund to him/her, but you will assure me that you
will take 50% of the money and give 50% to the orphanages home in your
country for my heart to rest with GOD.
Please reply me back with your below details to enable us proceed
further and please keep this confidential.
1. Full Name: ....................
2. Telephone Numbers: ....................
3. Your Sex: ....................
4. Your Occupation: ....................
5. Your Country: ....................
6. Marital Status: ....................
Reply to mrs.bettylouise22@gmail.com
God Bless You.
Mrs.Betty Louise Kaechler.
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Anti-fraud resources:
