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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.
Fraud email example:
From: "gracesavimbi" <gracesavimid@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 9 Jul 2010 03:00:20 -0000 (UTC)
Subject: buiness proposal
Dear
I humbly introduce myself as Mrs. grace Savimbi The wife of late Mr. J.
Savimbi the leader of rebel movement in Angola., I am sorry for infringing
to your privacy , if the mail dont sound interesting to you, kindly forget
about the transaction and inform me quietly.
I am sending this email to you based on trust and humanity for the
transfer of fund which is in my custody. This money was left behind by my
late husband. I am aware that this money is proceed of gold and oil made
during the time of the movement. On this bases, I have deposited this fund
in a Financial firm for investment. The amount is 10 million US Dollars.
The money is a cash money so we may not need your bank account rather we
shall open a joint account where the money will be deposited first before
we move it to your account. I will like to settle you with 20% of this
money or we can go into joint partnership but you will handle the project.
I will welcome your humble advice on how to handle this money.
I want us to work like one family where there will be absolute trust and
confidence. I am waiting for your reply so that we can put a meeting date.
I consider this very important to enable us meet and know each other.
Nothing can be better than knowing each other well.
Reply if you are capable to handle this money. Dont forget to enclose your
phone number. My country is now living in peace though there are pockets
of resistance in some remote areas. I will like this issue to remain
secret between you and me and of course my children.
Yours truly.
Mrs. grace Savimbi
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Anti-fraud resources:
