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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:
- "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. )
- "the consignment" (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)
- "consignment " (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)
- "million 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)
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "sani abacha" (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: IDRIS YUSUF <idris_yusuf--4@att.net>
Reply-To: i_yuf46@yahoo.fr
Date: Sat, 19 Mar 2011 19:20:45 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Confidential And Urgent....
Confidential And Urgent....
My name is Mr.Idris Yusuf,I worked under the former Late Nigerian Military Head Of State(General Sani Abacha.)I have Exactly the sum of 32.5 Million Dollars which i want to utilize for investment.I got this money through some over-inflated contracts done with the former Late Nigerian Military Head Of State.I escaped as soon as the news of the Late Former Head Of state came up.Ever since then i have been in a hideout as all the late Generals Associates are been detained here in the prison.This money is been Deposited in a Security company here as a Consignment containing family belongings not as money
I know so well that i can count on your trust and confidentiality to prosecute this deal and that fact informed my decision to contact you.All i need now from you is your assistance for claiming this million quickly before it becomes controversial as the security may confiscate the Consignment since the Deposit has stayed too long since the Death of General Sani Abacha.I need your complete confidentiality in this pursuit so that we can have this consignment claimed by you.
I assure you that this claimed will be a hitch free as i have worked out the modalities of this claim with a close friend of mine who is a lawyer and he will secure all the necessary documents required to back you up as the owner of the deposited consignment.
For your assistance however,i am prepared to give you 35% of the Money
I await your urgent reply while also urging you to maintain absolute confidentiality at all times so that we can easily get the Consignment claimed As soon as possible
Best regards
Mr.Idris Yusuf
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