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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 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)
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- 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: EDWARD WATTS <edywatts@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 31 Mar 2019 15:35:13 +0100
Subject: ASSISTANCE
Attn Sir,
STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL
My Name is MR EDWARD WATTS Special Adviser (SA) to one of the serving
State Governor here in Nigeria (Name With Hold) I contact you today
fact that my Governor needs an assistance because his tenure will
expired on May 29th 2019 to hand over power to new Elected Governor
.Therefore, there is fund he kept in one of the Grantee Trust Bank
(GTB) here in Nigeria and the Governor want the fund to leave out of
Country immediately for safe keeping before May 29th 2019 Nigeria hand
over.
The total amount involve is Thirty Million Dollars ($30 MILLION ) only
so our arrangement is to move the fund out of Nigeria through your
arrangement if you are interested . Therefore,you will get 10% from
the total fund while part of the fund will go into investment in your
Country likely you are going to be the master planer.of the project.
Please note, all the arrangement and paper work has been finalized
with the Governor and GTB bank Manager and risk free as the need most
confidential on this matter .
I will give you more details of the arrangement once I receive your
acceptance .
CALL ME ON MY PRIVATE NUMBER: +234-811-152-9749
Waiting for your urgent reply.
Sincerely,
MR EDWARD WATTS (SA)
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Anti-fraud resources:
