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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 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: umaru <umaru.musa10@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 17 Aug 2010 07:04:48 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Dear friend,
Dear FriendI am Mr.Umaru Musa working with Islamic Development Bank(ISDB)OuagadougouBurkina Faso. I want to inquire from you if you can handle thistransaction for mutual benefits/life opportunity for you and me.Thetransaction is about seeking your consent to present you as the next ofkin/ beneficiary To our late customer over his fund US$10.2Million dollars.
He died with his family during their vacation journey. I am waiting foryour response for more details. The fund is going to be share at the ratioof 60/30.30% for you and 60% for i and my family which we are going to usefor investment.and 10% for outstanding expenses.Mr. Umaru Musa
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Anti-fraud resources:
