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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:
- "to your nominated bank account" (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)
- "utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "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 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Mr Issa Smith <mrissasmith@sify.com>
Date: Sat, 19 Jun 2010 11:01:40 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: PLEASE I NEED YOUR HELP IN THIS TRANSACTION
Compliment of the Day.
Â
Although you might
be apprehensive about my email as we have not met before, My Name is Mr.Issa
Smith.
Â
Credit Officer, Bank Of Africa Burkina Faso, I have a business
proposal in the tune of $15million to be transferred to an offshore account with
your assistance.This however is not mandatory nor will I in any manner compel
you to honour against your will. I would like you tao read on and consider the
value I offer.
Â
 Once the funds have been transferred to your nominated
bank account we shall then share in the ratio of 60% for me, 40%Â for you.
Should you be interested.
Â
Please treat this business with utmost
Confidentiality and send me the following data’s:Finally after that I shall
provide you with more details Together with my Staff ID Card.
Â
HERE ARE
THE INFORMATIONS I NEED FOR THIS
TRANSACTION.
Â
1.Name..............
Â
2.Occupatio..........
Â
3.Full
Current residential address...........
Â
4.Private phone
number...........
Â
5.Age..................
 MY REGARDS.
MR.ISSA
SMITH
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Anti-fraud resources:
