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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "will come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million united state 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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- abdul.kalam8888881@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Anorld Johnson <anorld.johnson.gems.gold.diamond@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 16 Jul 2014 23:07:06 -0700
Subject: GOOD DAY!!!!
>From Abdul Kalam
Email: (abdul.kalam8888881@gmail.com )
Tele:+27838795528
Dear Friend,
I know this will come to you as a surprise. I am Abdul Kalam close friend
to SAIF AL ISLAM Son of late Libya president Muammar Gaddafi. My primary
objective of writing you this peace of message is to solicit for your
assistance to investing $15.5 million United State Dollars, which was made
available for the supply and purchase of arms to fighting the rebels forces
loyal to the incumbent We have moved this funds out of Libya in cash in one
security box and deposited in a security/property company in republic of
South Africa for safety. I am presently taking political asylum in South
Africa, since the rebel forces were arresting and killing all military
officers attached to late Muammar Gaddafi, another primary reasons of
contacting you is to assist me invest the funds in good projects in your
country and after that I will meet you in your country with my family to
leave normal live once again. As soon as you give a nod to assist in this
venture, I will send the Certificate of deposit of the box in the property
company and also my direct Confidential/private mobile number for easy
communication. I need your Seriousness to enable me moves out of South
Africa with my family. This project is 100% risk free but needs
confidentiality from both sides I offer you 25% from the total sum once you
help move the money out from South Africa to your country. Email Address (
abdul.kalam8888881@gmail.com )
Waiting for your quick response.
Mr. Abdul Kalam.
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Anti-fraud resources:
