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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 friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million us 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 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: jane bassy <janebassy@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 16 Oct 2011 15:30:34 +0100
Subject: help help help
Dear friend,
I am Mrs Jane Bassy. and i have been suffering from ovarian cancer
disease and the doctor says that i have just few months to leave.I am from
(Istanbul) Turkey but based in Ghana since eight years ago as
business woman dealing with gold exportation.Now that i am about to end the
race
like this,without any family members and no child.I have 3 Million US
DOLLARS ($3M) in
Africa Development Bank (A.D.B) Ghana which i instructed the bank to give
Missionary Home in Ghana.But my mind is not at rest because i
am writing this letter now through the help of a nurse with my computer
beside my sick
bed.
I also have 4.5Million US Dollars ($4.5M) at Eco bank here in Ghana and all
amounts to 7.5 million US DOLLARS ($7.5M) i instructed the bank to transfer
the money to the first foreigner that will apply to the bank after i have
gone that they should release the fund to him/her,but you will assure me
that you will take 50% of the money and give 50% to the orphanages home in
your country for my heart to rest.
Yours fairly friend,
mrs. Jany Bassy
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Anti-fraud resources:
