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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:
- This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "million 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)
- "abidjan" (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: nora williams <nwill06@msn.com>
Reply-To: <n.will85@yahoo.ie>
Date: Tue, 21 Jul 2009 13:41:57 +0000
Subject: Ms. Nora Williams
Ms. Nora Williams
Lot 2310 Abidjan
Cote d' Ivoire.
Hello Dear
How are you today, Hope my email finds you in good Health.
Pls kindly Permit me introduce myself to you.
I am Nora Williams 23years old female from Serria Leone in West Africa. i am a university undergraduate before i left my country to Abidjan cote d ivoire. Due to the death of my late parent along with my younger brother Luis who died in as Poison in 2006.
Since then i have been finding it very hard to survive, As a result of the death of my parent i have to drop out of the University, Presently i am living in a Church here in abidjan.
Pls i want to seek your help to transfer my Inheritans of $12.5million us dollars deposited in a Suspence Account in one of the reputable Bank here in Abidjan by my late father Mr Russel Williams who was a Diamond and Gold Business Exporter before his death into your account over there in your country where i hope to complete my Education and as well invest the Money wisely under your care.
Pls i kindly permit to ask you this few Question:
1. Can you help me sincerely from your Heart ?
2. What percentage will be ok for you after the funds have been Transfered into your account ?
3. Can you be able to come down to Abidjan to complete the Transaction in Person ?
Pls email me Today,so i can give you more details regarding how you can help me .
I await your kind and understanding response today.
With love and kind regards from
Nora.
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Anti-fraud resources:
