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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million 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 next of kin scam.
Fraud email example:
From: "YUSUF ALI" <yusuf_ali778@voila.fr>
Date: Sat, 12 Sep 2009 14:45:17 -0400
Subject: TREAT AS URGENT AND CONFIDENTIAL.
DEAR FRIEND.
I AM NAIK YUSUF ALI ASSISTANT TO THE BRANCH MANAGER OF BANK OF
AFRICA(BOA)OUAGADOUGOU BURKINA FASO I WANT TO INQUIRE FROM YOU IF YOU CAN
HANDLE THIS TRANSACTION FOR MUTUAL BENEFITS/LIFE OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU AND
ME.
THE TRANSACTION IS ABOUT SEEKING YOUR CONSENT TO PRESENT YOU AS THE NEXT OF
KIN/ BENEFICIARY OF THE US$15MILLION DOLLARS WHO IS A CUSTOMER TO THE BANK
WHERE I WORK. HE DIED WITH HIS FAMILY DURING THEIR VACATION JOURNEY IN THAT
REGARD,I DECIDED TO SEEK YOUR CONSENT FOR THIS PROSPECTIVE OPPORTUNITY. HAVE
IT AT THE BACK OF YOUR MIND, THAT THE TRANSACTION DOES NOT INVOLVE ANY RISK
AND DOES NOT NEED MUCH ENGAGEMENT FROM YOU,SINCE I AM FAMILIAR WITH THIS
KIND OF TRANSACTION BEINORGANINSIDER.NECESSARMODALITIESWILL BE WORKED OUT TO
ENABLE US
CARRY OUT THE FUND CLAIM UNDER A LEGITIMATE ARRANGEMENT. I HAVE RESOLVED TO
OFFER YOU 40% OF THE TOTAL FUND,10% FOR SUNDRY EXPENSES THAT MAYBE INCURRED
DURING THE PROCESS OF EXECUTING THIS TRANSACTION AND 50% PERCENT FOR ME.
I WILL GIVE YOU MORE DETAILS ABOUT THE TRANSACTION PLEASE IF YOU ARE REALLY
INTERESTED IN THIS TRANSACTION SEND ME THE BELOW INFORMATIONS SUCH AS.
( 1 YOUR FULL NAMES ....................
( 2 YOUR PRIVATE PHONE NUMBER.............
( 3 YOUR AGE ..................
( 4 YOUR OCCUPATIONS ..............
( 5 YOUR COUNTRY NAME.......
WHEN I RECEIVE YOUR RESPONSE VIA MY EMAIL ADDRESS, I WILL SEND YOU THE TEXT
OF APPLICATION FORM WHICH YOU WILL FILL AND SEND TO THE BANK AS THE NEXT OF
KIN TO THE LATE DECEASE PERSON SO THAT THE BANK WE START PROCESSING THE FUND
INTO YOUR ACCOUNT OK.
THANKS AND ALAH BLESS YOU.
MR.YUSUF ALI
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Anti-fraud resources:
