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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:
- "hundred thousand united states 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: "Mrs. Safia Farkash Gaddafi" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <g_mrs.safia@yahoo.com.ph>
Date: Fri, 25 Nov 2011 14:05:33 -0000
Subject: From Mrs.Safia Farkash Gaddafi
My Dear,
I am SAFIA FARKASH, wife of late Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, who was killed by the unfaithful opposition leaders in my country Libya .I am desperately looking for a foreign partner whom I can trust to handle some investment of fund.
My Husband deposited the sum of US$65.4m (Sixty five million four hundred Thousand United States Dollars) each in my name at two reputable security companies in Europe and Africa I will disclose to you their name as we proceed. For I have already left Libya to one of the Algeria. Your assistance will enable us invest this money in your country or any where it will be safe and productive. But before we continue in this transaction, we would have to sign an AGREEMENT for our protection and rights.
You were introduced to me by one of the officer at foreign mission in your country, he recommended you as a reliable person. My aim now is to find out if you would be able to stand in as the New Owner of the deposit since these deposits were declared in the security house as personal effects. I will direct you to an international business law firm who will help you in getting the documents to your name once I get your positive reply, you have nothing to be afraid of since the lawyer has been of great help to our family. I and my children are in hiding now because these rebels want our head.
You can as well read more about the crises in my country and about this situation on the following FIVE sites:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/21/us-libya-gaddafi-assets-idUSTRE79K4K220111021
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1361919/Muammar-Gaddafi-familys-astonishing-wealth-revealed.html
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110404/ap_on_re_us/libya_diplomacy
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/142748/gaddafis-wealth-spread-across-globe.html
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110404/wl_nm/us_libya
I am waiting for your prompt and positive response.
Thanks.
Mrs. Safia Farkash Gaddafi
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Anti-fraud resources:
