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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:
- "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: "Mallam M.B" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <courierrser@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Thu, 13 Jan 2011 02:49:14 +0100
Subject: Salaam alaykum wa rahmat-Allaahi wa barakaatuhu
Salaam ‘alaykum wa rahmat-Allaahi wa barakaatuhu
I would be pleased if you can partnership with me to invest Eighteen Million US Dollars in your company or in any lucrative business you wish to nominate in your country, considering the fact that your country is among the most reliable market in ASIA, I would like to settle and study upon the investment in your country.
Please permit me to ask about taxation in your country and the return you expect to earn if you were given the opportunity to manager about $12M from the $15M in your country market? For your information I do not have company in your country any investment with the fund must be in the name of your company, and we must not base specifically only on the Real estate, Transport industry and a Five star Hotel I suggested, if you have idea of any lucrative business you feel can yield a good returns in the future please do not hesitate to suggest.
1). Real estate
2). the transport industry
3). Five star hotel
I have resolve to offer to you 10% which you are going to deduct once you receive the entire $15M into your company account while the balance will be invested in any business you will nominate I need your understanding and honesty to this project hence the hope of two young ones depends on the fund.
I need your full company name to enable me to advice the fiduciary agency holding the fund to release it to you as my next of kin.
Your full name
Telephone
Fax
Address
I await your response.
Respectfully yours,
Mallam M.B
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Anti-fraud resources:
