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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:
- "hundred thousand us 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)
- "power of attorney" (with your bank details and a power of attorney form criminals sometimes empty bank accounts)
- "abuja" (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.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
- 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.
Fraud email example:
From: Alan Dickson <helpdesk.fco@googlemail.com>
Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 11:22:51 +0100
Subject: ATTN: Client...from Diamond Security Company
DIAMOND SECURITY COMPANY
Registered in Abuja.
Attn:
Dear Client,
We acknowledge the mail sent to us notifying you as the beneficiary
to Mrs Miriam Abacha requesting our service; we read the mail
and we clearly understand all the information rendered.
I am the Head of Foreign Operations, writing you in respect of the
mail we received and the nomination letter/transfer request from our client,
for the claim of assets deposited in our company.
Mrs Miriam Abacha is our customer with a substantial amount(US$500
000.00) Five Hundred Thousand US Dollars deposit with our company.
Hence you have been appointed as the beneficiary to the deposit.
Already a power of Attorney and a copy of certificate of deposit
permitting you to stand as a beneficiary to the deposit with our
company has been given by Mrs Miraim Abacha.
However, you have to present to our company the below listed
information and documents before our company will effect the transfer
of the fund belonging to Mrs Miraim Abacha to you.
1. Full Name:
2. Contact Address:
3. Telephone Number:
4. Mobile Number:
5. Banking Information:
6. Scanned copy of your Identity Card/International Passport:
On the receipt of the above information with satisfaction we shall
process your claim and effect the transfer of the fund .
We sincerely apologize to you for any inconvenience and we promise to
offer our customers the best of our services.
Regards,
Alan Dickson.
Diamond Security Company (Abuja)
Head of Foreign Operations
Tel: +234 702 370 8633
+234 703 428 7883
Note: To avoid double claiming, keep this transaction confidential.
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