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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:
- "please indicate your willingness" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million 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 next of kin scam.
Fraud email example:
From: Mr David Mike <davidmike2004@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 3 Jul 2010 04:21:03 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: FROM: MR.DAVID MIKE.
FROM: MR. DAVID MIKE.
PRIVATE TELEPHONE
REPLY SO
WE CAN PULL THE FUND.
Please read carefully,
This message might meet
you in utmost surprise. However, it's just my urgent need for foreign partner
that made me to contact you for this transaction. I got your contact from yahoo tourist
search while I was searching for a foreign partner. I assured of your capability
and reliability to champion this business opportunity when I prayed about
you.
I am a banker by profession in BURKINA-FASO, WEST
AFRICA and currently
holding the post of manager in account
and auditing department in our bank. I have the opportunity of transferring the
left over funds ($ 10.2 Million Dollars) belong to our deceased customer who
died along with his entire family in a plane crash.
Hence; I am inviting
you for a business deal where this money can be shared
between us in the
ratio of 60/40 if you agree to my business proposal. Further details of the
transfer will be forwarded to you as soon as I receive your return mail
immediately as soon as you receive this letter.
Please indicate your
willingness by sending the below information for more clarification and easy
communication.
For more details, Contact me for more
details.
1. Your Full
Name .......................
2.Your
Sex................................
3. Your
Age...............................
4. Marital
Status ..........................
5. Your Cell Phone
Number..................
6.Occupation......................................
7. Your Country OF
Orign.....................
Trusting to hear from you
immediately.
Thanks & Best Regards,
Mr DAVID
MIKE
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Anti-fraud resources:
