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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 sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- alimusa30@aol.com (AOL; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mussa" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <alimusa30@aol.com>
Date: Tue, 26 Apr 2011 19:08:58 +0100
Subject: PLEASE GET BACK TO ME..
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am Mr Ali Musa Staff of zenith bank plc .I would like you to indicate
your interest to receive the transfer of ($10 Million Dollars.) I will like you
to stand as the next of kin to my late client whose account is presently dormant
for claims. Please once you are interested kindly send me the following details
information below.
you will have 40% of the above mentioned sum while 50% will be for me, and the other 10% will
I anticipate your urgent response to enable us proceed if you are interested kindly contact me on my private email
1. Full Name...........
2. Private tel.............
3. You’re Age................
4. Your Country........
5. Your Occupation....
Remain bless
Mr Ali Musa
Email alimusa30@aol.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
