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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:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "account in your country or any safer place" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "to 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)
- This email message is a orphan scam.
Fraud email example:
From: james ibori <ja.ibori1@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 15 Aug 2011 09:33:24 +0100
Subject: Read Your Mail...
Cote D' Ivoire.
Private and Confidential.
Dear Sir/Madam.
Please i need your help, I am Miss Helen Boka from Cote D' Ivoire. I lost my
Father Mr. Sidibé Boka a couple of months ago. My Father was a serving
director of the Cocoa exporting abroad until his death.He was assassinated
by the rebels in Cote D' Ivoire War following the political uprising.
Before his death he had a foreign account up to the sum of ($10.5M) which he
told the bank was for the importation of cocoa processing machine. I want
you to do me a favor to receive this fund to a safe account in your country
or any safer place as the beneficiary.
MOREOVER, I AM WILLING TO OFFER YOU 25% OF THE TOTAL SUM AS COMPENSATION
WHEN THE FUND IS SUCCESSFUL TRANSFER TO YOUR NOMINATED BANK ACCOUNT IN YOUR
COUNT
I have plans to do investment in your country, like real estate and
industrial production.
This is my reason for writing to you. Please if you are willing to assist me
indicate your interest in replying me with my E-mail:
helenboka@in.comsoonest. Because the crisis here in Cote D 'Ivoire is
out off hand.
Thanks.
Miss Helen Boka.
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Anti-fraud resources:
