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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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. )
- "trunk box" (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)
- "trunk boxes" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "% will be for you" (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)
- "does not know the contents of the box" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
Fraud email example:
From: "ALEX WILLIAMS." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <alexwill1@hotmail.co.uk>
Date: Mon, 16 Aug 2010 08:58:48 +0100
Subject: FROM ALEX WILLIAMS
Dear Friend.
I am Mr Alex Williams secretary of state Committee on Public account in my country Nigeria
I have discovered a Floating deficit in my country with an European bank and seek to
Transfer this money abroad for investment purpose.Consequently, my proposal is that I will
like you to stand in as the owner of the money
I deposited it in a security company in two trunk boxes.
Though the security company does not know the contents of the boxes
As I tagged them to be photographic materials for export.
I am writing you because I as a public servant in my country.
I cannot operate a foreign account or have an account that is worth more than $1m.
I am willing to place the fund; sum of $45.000,000.00
in your company as the interest is in your companies
with potentials for rapid growth in long terms.
The money will be moved out for us to share in the ratio of 70% for me and 30% for you.
There is no risk at all as all the paperwork for this transaction will be done by the Attorney ,
And this will guarantees the successful execution of this transaction.
I shall then provide you with more details and relevant documents that will help you understand the transaction.
I adjoin you to send me your full names, phone/fax
numbers, in your guest to cooperate with me.30% will be
for you as compensations.I await your soonest response.
Regard.
Mr Alex Williams.
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