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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)
- "very confidential" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
Fraud email example:
From: Bussaba Malison <bussabamalison@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 8 Sep 2022 17:18:19 +0700
Subject: My name is. Mrs Bussaba Malison
My name is. Mrs Bussaba Malison I Am a banker by profession I bring to you
a life changing business proposal which I consider very confidential.
I wish to ask your assistance for the transfer of $14.75million dollars
into any of your nominated bank accounts in your country. This is because
you bear the same surname as him. Are you in any way related to him? If you
are, I think we can work things out. I am an account officer. I can
present you as the next of kin, I will prepare you with the relevant legal
documentations that will facilitate the release of the fund to you without
any breach of the law.
I am waiting for your response.
I am still waiting to hear from you.
Regard
Bussaba Malison
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Anti-fraud resources:
