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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:
- "million us 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.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- mohsec234@aol.com (AOL; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: darling k <darling4lux@yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 1 Jul 2010 06:29:17 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: TO BE DONE LEGALLY 100%
Ahsalaam a'laikum.
I am Mr Mohammed Yar' Adua, from Katsina State Nigeria. I am 25years old and presently residing in Ghana because of the sudden death of my Father that rised political crisis in my Country. I got your contact in strict confidence through Ghana Chamber of Commerce.
I would Honestly want to seek for an immediate assistance from you, I have $18.5 Million US dollars belonging to my late Father (Former President of Nigeria), who die as a result of Cancer and Lung Illness.
I ran to Ghana refugee Camp when I Discovered danger to my life and that of my whole family. My late father has deposited the above mentioned Amount with a FINANCE FIRM for safe keeping before his death and i have every Documents regards the transaction I have contacted the FINANCE FIRM and confirmed the safety of the money/ inheritance.
As it is, I have the intention of investing the money oversees and however needed a Foreigner who is capable of giving adequate assistance to me by the way of clearing the money from the FINANCE FIRM and thereafter forwarding it to your Account for investments.
(1) To serve me as a guardian of this fund since I am only 25 years old.
(2) To make arrangement for me to come over to your country to further my education and to secure a resident permit in your country.
I have map out 35% percentage of the fund for you.
My Althernative EMAIL: mohsec234@aol.com
If Necessary Please do feel free to ask me questions on this as I wait for your reply soonest.
Thanks.
Mr Mohammed Yar' Adua.
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Anti-fraud resources:
