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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:
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "offshore account" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
Fraud email example:
From: "Eke Williams" <ekewillieke@ymail.com>
Reply-To: eke_williams_12@ymail.com
Date: Wed, 20 Jan 2010 06:48:21 -0300
Subject: get back to me
FROM MR.WILLIAMS EKE
AUDITING AND ACCOUNTING UNIT.
FOREIGN REMITTANCE DEPT.
UNION BANK PLC
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA
Good morning
I am Williams Eke an accountant with Union Bank Nigeria plc
and the account manager of Mr Lynn ROY who died while he
went on vacation in 2000 . He was a government contractor.
I further discovered that the next of kin to the account
died in that fatal accident.
The balance in the account is to the tune of US$12.5M less
interest as the account has gone dormant. I am contacting
you because I have a firm knowledge of our bank policy on
the administration of estate and the inheritance law here.
As a foreigner, if I furnish you with an inside classified
information on the account,manipulate the next of kin column
on the data base ,as I have access to what
will aid you secure the relevant administrative
requirement ,will apply you for the withdrawal of the
deposit?
I am certain the bank will approve it immediately and the
account balance will be transferred to your nominated
account. I will fly to your country for withdrawal and
sharing and other investments.
I am contacting you because of the need to involve a
foreigner who has an offshore account. I need your full
co-operation to make this dream come through,because the
management is ready to approve this payment to
any foreigner who has current information of this account,
which I will provide for you.
If you are willing to take part in this project please send the following
details;
Address:...........................................
Tel:...................................................
Fax:..................................................
Age/sex:............................................
Occupation:.......................................
Your prompt attention and urgent reply to this message will
help us transact this business without any hitch
Am waiting for your urgent reply and call please.
May God Be With You
Mr.Willimas Eke
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