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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Abdulah Aziz Bello <abdulahazizbello1@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 9 Dec 2022 09:46:00 +0100
Subject: Your welcome to this great deal.
Dear Friend
Greetings and how are you doing today?
I came across your e-mail contact prior to a private search. I am really in
need of your kind assistance in realizing a deal. My name is Mr. Abdulah
Aziz Bello, and I am working at the Auditing and Accounting department here
in my Bank. There is a fund that was kept in custody of my Bank years ago
and I need your assistance for the transfer of this fund to your bank
account for the benefit of both of us for lifetime investment and the
amount is Seven Million United States Dollars (US$7 Million).
I have made every inquiry about the money and I have full proof details to
make the Bank authority believe you are beneficiary of the fund and will
release the fund to your bank account within 7 working days upon submitting
a claim application to the Bank. With your full cooperation with me I can
get the Bank to transfer the money to you, and after the successful
transfer of the money to your Account we can share the amount 50% for you
and 50% for me.
Below you will see the list of information that I will need from you.
-Your Telephone Number
-Your Residential Address:
Please reply to me if you accept this Business deal I proposed to you
immediately.
Thanks,
Mr. Abdulah Aziz Bello.
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Anti-fraud resources:
