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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:
- "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "remmitance department" (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)
- "remmitance department" (this email uses bad English)
- "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Lamido Sanusi" <mslbhjfjkhgkkhgfxf@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 28 Jul 2010 06:21:28 -0700
Subject: Call me at +2348029662063 for more information
information.My Name Is Mr. Lamido Sanusi. I Am The Governor Central Bank Of
Nigeria.This Is To Notify You That Your Over Due Inheritance Funds Has Been
Gazzeted To Be Released To You Via The Foreign Remmitance Department Of Our
Bank. Meanwhile, A Woman Came To My Office Few Days Ago With A Letter,
Claiming To Be Your Representative And Sent By You.If she is not your
reprsentative or sent by you, kindly respond immediately reconfirming to me
the following details to avoid any mistake.Full name;Full residential
contact address;Direct telephone number number;Age and current
occupation;Copy of your identification if available.However,We Shall Proceed
To Issue All Payments Details To The Said Mrs.Barbara Kleihans If We Do Not
Hear From You Within The Next Three Working Days From Today. Await for your
prompt response You.Regards,Mr. Lamido Sanusi
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Anti-fraud resources:
