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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, 24 Feb 2023 12:15:40 +0100
Subject: God of mericies has remembered you.
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:
