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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:
- "hundred thousand united states 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)
- "dormant account" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
Fraud email example:
From: =?utf-8?B?TXMgRW5kZW5lIETDqXNpcsOp?= <atwjef4@gmail.com>
Reply-To: =?utf-8?B?TXMgRW5kZW5lIETDqXNpcsOp?= <gtgendene@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 9 Jan 2018 18:08:43 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Hello!
Hello!
My Name is Ms Endene Désiré, Please I wish to request for an investment advice from you and also go into business partnership with you.
I do believe that you will not betray my trust which I am going to lay on you. I do apologize to have approached you in this way. I strongly believe that this investment project I wish to carry out in your country will be treated with urgency and favorable attention .
I am the daughter of late Mr. Désiré Tagro, the former Minister of Interior and chief of staff for Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo during the 2010–2011 Ivorian crisis. My late father was also into Cocoa & Coffee exportation. He died on April 12, 2011 during the post electoral crisis in my country Cote d'Ivoire.
My late father before his death had deposited in a Financial Institution in a dormant account a sum of $15.5m {Fifteen million five hundred thousand United States dollars} which was meant for the importation of mining equipment. Please I need your assistance for the transfer of this funds to a safe account in your country for investment purpose and you will act as the co-beneficiary because my life is in danger here.
I will give you 25% of this fund for your cordial assistance.
Thanks
Ms Endene.
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Anti-fraud resources:
