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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 american 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)
- "contact me immediately" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "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: SANDRA WUMA <sandra.wuma@btinternet.com>
Reply-To: myheart_desire55@yahoo.fr
Date: Thu, 10 Dec 2009 13:34:21 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: From Sandra Wuma
>From Sandra Wuma
Abidjan Cote D’Ivoire.
West Africa.
Â
Dearest One
Hope this mail meets you well, I have a proposal for you however is not mandatory nor Will I in any manner compel you to honour against your Will.
My name is Miss Sandra Wuma and I inherited an important sum of money from my late father Mr Egbe Wuma who died in a recent crisis in Cote d'Ivoire. I wish to request for your assistance in investing this money in a lucrative venture under your directives and guidiance in your country.
I want you to assist me for the transfer of the sum of Seven million American Dollars ($7m) into your designated bank account hence I will give you the contact of the bank where the money is been deposited by my late father so that you can contact them immediately and discuss with them since I am only 22 years of age and do not know much about financial issues.
I will give you some reasonable percentage from the total sum for your assistance while I pray that you do not betray me at last.
Please it is important you contact me immediately for more details on the next step since it is my wish to relocate to your country as soon as this transaction is concluded.
Â
God bless you.
Sandra Wuma.
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Anti-fraud resources:
