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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)
- "will come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "into your nominated bank account" (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)
- "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
- "contract award committee" (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: "Ahmed Musa" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mygodline@w.cn>
Date: Fri, 11 Mar 2011 00:03:27 -0000
Subject: RE: HELLO
Dear Friend,
I am Mr.Ahmed Musa, chairman of the contract award committee for the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). I know that this
letter will come to you as a surprise since we have not met in person. Kindly bear with me as we are in search for a reliable and honest partner abroad that we can
entrust with the sum of us$35 million.
I want to present you as a sub-contractor. Have you done any contract before and you are paid?
These funds originated from contract we executed for the petroleum trust fund (PTF) Purpose for the supply and installations of oil-pipeline from Iraq to Saudi Arabia
Refineries. This contract has been executed and full payments have been made to the contractors who executed these contract leaving behind us$35 million) as an over-
invoice amount which was deliberately inflated by me and the rest of the committee members. In view of the prevailing circumstances, my colleagues have mandated me to
look for a foreign partner abroad who will receive the funds on our behalf, which means that you will provide us with any Bank Account of your choice where we can
lodge these funds immediately. I will be visiting your country upon your confirmation of receipt of funds into your nominated Bank Account to know you better and discuss investment or importation of goods back to our country.
DISBURSEMENT OF THE FUND IS AS FOLLOWS:30% of the total sum will be your shareWhile 60% will be for me and my colleagues 10% will be an outstanding amount to settle any incurred expenses during the transfer. we assure you that this transaction is 100% risk free and very legitimate as all modalities have been perfected by us with our connection in government and there is full documented proof of funds origin.
What matters most is honesty on your side and for you to keep everything confidential until this fund is duly remitted into your nominated Bank Account. If you are
interested in doing business with us, please do not hesitate to email me as a matter of urgency with your contact phone and fax numbers so that I can give you more details.
Don't call me a criminal or fast guy but it a deal and i am trying to make a living which you will benefit also.
Best Regards.
Mr. Ahmed Musa.
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Anti-fraud resources:
