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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:
- "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)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "aaaalimahyak@w.cn" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: alimah_yak <paull_blessing@yahoo.fr>
Reply-To: allimah_yak100@w.cn
Date: Sat, 21 Aug 2010 09:31:40 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: Dear Beloved friend,
Dear Beloved friend,
I know this message will come to you as surprised but permit me of my desire to go into business relationship with you.
I am Miss alimah yak a daughter to late Justin yak of Sudan who died on a plane crash in May 2 2008 in Sudan, my late father was the presidential adviser for local government affairs in Sudan- Khartoum. Meanwhile before the incident, my late Father came to Cotonou Benin republic with the sum of USD8, 200,000.00 (US$8.2M) which he deposited in a Financial and Security Institution here in Cotonou Benin Republic West Africa for security reasons. I am here seeking for an avenue to transfer this money to a reliable and trustworthy person for Investment purpose.
I am here in Benin Republic because of the death and the crisis in my Country Sudan. Please I will offer you 20% of the total sum of USD8.2m for your assistance. Please I need to transfer this money urgently because delay would not help at all and I need to relocate based on my situation so as to enable me continue my education as I was medical student before the sudden death of my father.contact me my privet email adress aaaalimahyak@w.cn) immediate response would be appreciated.
Best regards
miss alimah yak
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