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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:
- This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
- 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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Omar Ashkal <auditconsultant2@gmail.com>
Reply-To: omarashkal@yahoo.com.ph
Date: Fri, 14 Apr 2023 02:04:52 -1200
Subject: Greeting From Here.
Greeting From Here.
With honor and regard, am sending you this message to inform you about
my present situation here in Europe. My name is Omar Ashkal from
Tripoli Libya North Africa. I was a financial consultant and also a
revolutionary council member to the former Libya President Muammar
Qaddafi.
Am here to secure my life aftermath the tragedy of the civil war that
occurred in Libya which made me to lost my three sons including my
wife during the crises. Am here on on hide out in Istanbul Turkey
aftermath the announce of my death by the present government in my
country Libya.
I have a huge sum of funds USD$50 Million Dollars secure at the
finance and loan company for investment purpose. I contacted you to
confide in you and have a silence investment under your control as my
trustee and as my beneficiary to any investment that could invested
under your control. I would await your quick responds hence i could
details you more on the fund in question.
Thanks.
Omar Ashka
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Anti-fraud resources:
