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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 british pounds" (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 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr John Kufour" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <private_kufour@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:28:03 -0800
Subject: LET'S PULL THIS THROUGH
I write to request your co-operation in my desire to find a foreign partner who will assist me in the relocation and investment of the sum of twenty two million five hundred thousand British pounds (22.5 Million British Pounds), which is presently available and in my possession.
I am the first son of the former president in my Native Country. The money was realized from gratification which was received from foreign contractors who executed contracts for my country in the last 2 years.
I am unable to travel out now, so I shall be glad if you can stand as beneficiary to receive this money abroad, and also nominate a good investment facility in your country where the fund will be placed, for profits making.
The entire plan and documents of this transaction will be forwarded to you as soon as I receive your positive response. I also want to assure you that there is no risk attached to you in this business.
Regards,
John Addo Kufour.
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Anti-fraud resources:
