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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:
- "huge amount of money" (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)
- "the consignment" (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)
- "consignment " (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)
- "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)
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "liberia" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: joy kalaber <joy_kalaber@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Mon, 20 Jul 2009 00:23:35 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: urgent assistance
web site.
i am a citizen of Liberia the first daughter of the minister of mines and energy Mr Solomon Kalaber. who was killed by rebels during the war in Liberia. before my father's death he made my mother to understand that he deposited some huge amount of money which he made from sale of diamond and gold and give my mother all relevant document of the consignment which deposited in standard security company here in Accra Ghana (marked) as family belonging, as stated in the deposit certificate.
i and my mother was able to move out from Liberia through the united nation cargo ship, that convene refugee from Moravia to Accra Ghana, as a refugee. my father left behind physical cash of $36m (thirty six million United States Dollars only.) which he safely lodged in standard security company here in Accra Ghana, during his regime in the office.i am hereby soliciting your assistance to be my foreign partner and adviser because:
1)i do not know much about investment and we need you to assist for investment of this fund in your country.
2)you will be entitled to 25% of the total sum, for your assistance
3)your compensation for the assistance is negotiable while 10% of the whole sum will be mapped out for expenses.
4)after the success of this transaction you are going to make arrangement for i and my mother to meet you over in your country.
5)i request that you take a two working days to visit me face to face in Ghana for fast transaction.
your urgent reply will be highly appreciated. all the necessary documents of deposit from the security company are with my mother. in your reply, please include your private telephone and fax numbers for more details. looking forward to hear from you.
thanks for your co-operation and remain bless.
best regard.
Joy Kalaber.
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