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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 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)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
Fraud email example:
From: Adeelah Mustapha <adeelahmustapha@outlook.com>
Reply-To: Adeelah Mustapha <adeelahmustapha@yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 21 Oct 2018 02:10:10 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Please i need your help
My Dear,
I am Mrs. Adeelah Mustapha the wife of late Mr. Kaba Mustapha We have been married for years before his sudden death is we were childless. I have been diagnosed with cancer and I have been battling with the sickness when my late lovely husband was alive .
My Husband left the sum of US $ 3.2 million United States Dollars in a fix / suspense account in one of the prime bank in Cote d'Ivoire. Recently, my doctor told me that that I would not exceed more five more more due to cancer problem The one that disturbs. I decided to transfer this fund into your account and you will use it to train my adopted daughter who is 15yrs. You will take her her as your God child and brought her up in a good and decent manner with what my late husband left behind.
I will give you more informed me as soon as I received a reply because I do not want to to this state until here until I see you see your reply, desire and commitment. a secret for security reasons between both of us.
My Best Regards.
Adeelah Mustapha
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Anti-fraud resources:
