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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:
- "transfer of your funds" (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)
- "affidavit " (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: MIGHTY FINANCE <mightyfinance20@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 15 Mar 2022 20:39:10 +0100
Subject: Unclaimed fund
Sir/ma.
This is to inform you that we are mandated by the federal government of
Nigeria to weed out unclaimed funds which some contractors/beneficiaries
are requesting for payment.
Moreover, before our office proceeds for such payment, we want to find out
from you if you are still alive by responding to this office with your
contact details such as follows.
a- Your full name.
b- Telephone and cell phone numbers.
c- You resident contact address.
d- Your driven license/any document that will help to identify your
good self.
Furthermore, all the payment detail you have made in the past will help
fish out your funds and legal documents issued to you in the past.
In case you are not interested, do not respond because we do not have much
time to waste with unserious beneficiary. Note that you are to present to
this office a non-resident sworn court affidavit made in your name for your
payment clearance which allow our bankers to make transfer of your funds
into an account you will nominate in future.
We are very sorry for the inconveniences these may have caused you, please
bear with us to avoid impersonators and fraudsters whom you have fell into
their hand in the past.
Yours sincerely.
Dr. Ali Usman.
For Mighty finance limited.
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Anti-fraud resources:
