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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:
- "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: Harrison Nico <harrisonnico02@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 6 May 2014 17:37:55 +0000
Subject: Can You Handle This Project?
DEAR RESPECTFUL.
PLEASE KINDLY ACCEPT MY APOLOGY FOR SENDING UNSOLICITED MAIL TO YOU. I
BELIEVE YOU ARE A HIGHLY RESPECTED PERSONALITY,CONSIDERING THE FACT
THAT I SOURCED YOUR PROFILE FROM A HUMAN RESOURCE PROFILE DATABASE ON
YOUR COUNTRY.THOUGH,I DO NOT KNOW TO WHAT EXTENT YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH
EVENTS.
THIS MESSAGE MIGHT MEET YOU IN UTMOST SURPRISE. HOWEVER IT'S JUST MY
URGENT NEED FOR A FOREIGN PARTNER THAT MADE ME CONTACT YOU FOR THIS
TRANSACTION.
l AM A BANKER BY PROFESSION FROM BURKINA FASO IN WEST AFRICA AND
CURRENTLY HOLDING THE POST OF DIRECTOR AUDITING AND ACCOUNTING UNIT OF
THE BANK.
I HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY OF TRANSFERRING THE LEFT OVER FUNDS (
$US15.000.000.00 [Fifteen Million United States Dollars) OF ONE OF MY
BANK CLIENTS WHO DIED ALONGSIDE WITH HIS ENTIRE FAMILY ON 25TH, JULY
2000 IN A PLANE CRASH.
HENCE, I AM INVITING YOU FOR A MUTUAL BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY WHERE
THISMONEY CAN BE SHARED BETWEEN US IN THE RATION OF 60/40? 40% FOR YOU
AND 60% FOR ME
IF YOU AGREE TO MY BUSINESS PROPOSAL. FURTHER DETAIL OF THE
TRANSACTION WILL BE FORWARDED TO YOU AS SOON AS I RECEIVE YOUR RETURN
MAIL AND REPLY TO ME IMMEDIATELY.
Now my questions are:-
1 Can you handle this project? .... .................
2. Can I give you this trust? ........................
Thanks and best regards.
Mr.Harrison Nico
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Anti-fraud resources:
