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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:
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- ",000,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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: "Engr. Afolabi Sunday" <belgore1717@yahoo.co.uk>
Reply-To: a.sunday00100@hotmail.com
Date: Thu, 27 Oct 2011 02:56:25 +0100 (BST)
Subject: Attention Sir.
Attention Sir.
I am Engr.Sunday Afolabi A top Government Official here in Nigeria. I want your assistance to front as a co-owner/Beneficiary of this (us$57,000,000.00) to facilitate the release which as a result of over-invoiced proceeds from completed contract here in Nigeria awarded by my Department which I am the Head (Department of Petroleum Resources), which had been in payment role of the paying bank here in Nigeria,I will like to present you as the beneficiary of the contract payment by providing all paperwork as already executed contact by you and now seeking for payment.You do not have to worry for this transaction is good and I have map out every modalities to complete this transaction without any problem.
You have to understand that a top Government Official here in Nigeria I will not want to be expose as the owner of the fund that is why I want to front you as co-owner of the fund and I will like you to help me in investing my share of the fund in a very good business.
Your percentage for your assistance is 30% of the total fund while 5% will be for our expenses if you are interested to work with me.Bear in mind that I confide in you that is why I have contacted you for this assistance.
Thank you.
Engr.Sunday Afolabi
Note: this message is strictly for the addressed email you the bearer.I need your response immediately . I thank you for your cooperation.
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Anti-fraud resources:
