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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:
- "waiting for your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Lucy Ogili <lucyogili205@msn.com>
Reply-To: <lucyg1i@live.fr>
Date: Wed, 2 Sep 2009 23:23:45 +0000
Subject: Dearest Beloved,
Dearest Beloved,
I am reaching you by faith believing that you will accept this offer in good faith. I am Miss Lucy Ogili, the only daughter of late Mr and Mrs Diama Ogili. Please my dear I am in position of US$11.5 Million which I inherited from my late father I want you to help me invest it in your country.
This money is of no criminal origin as it was released from the alluvial gold dust sold during the war when my late father was governor of our state. Now I want you to help me receive the money in your account also help me invest it in a profitable venture in your country.
I have decided to offer you 20% of the total money for your assistance. I will give you more details as soon as I hear from you. I am waiting for your urgent response.
May God bless you.
Best Regards,
Lucy Ogili.
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Anti-fraud resources:
