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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million 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: "Mr .Abdul Karim" <anvimusic@ono.com>
Reply-To: abdulkarim22@workmail.com
Date: Fri, 1 Dec 2017 03:25:40 +0100 (CET)
Subject: With Due Respect!!!
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My Dear Friend,
Am Mr .Abdul Karim. i work in one of the prime bank here in Burkina
Faso, i want the bank to transfer the money left by most of the greedy
African Politicians used our bank to launder money overseas through the
help of their Political advisers. Most of the funds which they
transferred out of the shores of Africa were gold and oil money that
was supposed to have been used to develop the continent.
I can you investment this money and also help the poor' the amount
value at ($10.5million Dollars) (Ten Million Five Hundred Thousand
United States American Dollars), left in his account still unclaimed.
More details will be giving to you if you are interested
Thanks with my best regards.
Mr. Abdul Karim,
Telex Manager
United Bank for Africa (UBA)
Burkina Faso
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Anti-fraud resources:
