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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:
- "a security company " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "million united states 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 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "JAKOVI DAVID MWIRARIA" <finacorporation@aol.com>
Reply-To: <princejakovi@aol.com>
Date: Mon, 10 May 2010 15:19:04 -0800
Subject: I AM NOW IN CHINA.
Compliments of the day,
I left Kenya because of the insecurity of my father's funds. as a result of this i am currently in China.My name is Jakovi Mwiraria, son to the former Minister of Finance in Kenya Mr. David Mwiraria. In the year 2006, my father was accused of corruption while in office.He relocated to Britain after resignation.Anti-Corruption panel led by John Githongo alleged he made away with contract funds worth $200m.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/2/story.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10366466
currently he confided in me of the $USD12m (Twelve Million United States Dollars) which was deposited with a security company in China and i am next of kin. This is more reason i have contacted you to assist me receive this funds as my beneficiary. I am lodging at the Eton Hotels annex in Guangzhou.
Awaiting your response.
Regards,
Jakovi D. Mwiraria
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Anti-fraud resources:
