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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:
- "a security company " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "million 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)
- "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
- "i got your address from " (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
- "power of attorney" (with your bank details and a power of attorney form criminals sometimes empty bank accounts)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs.Safia Farkash al-Baraasi." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <safiaflb@hotmail.com>
Date: Sat, 25 Feb 2012 08:05:56 -0800
Subject: Greetings
Greetings,
I am the second wife of the Libyan leader Safia Farkash al-Baraasi. We
came to know each other in 1971 when Gaddafi was admitted to a
hospital where I worked as a nurse. We got married the same year and
have six sons and one daughter.
I got your address from my research in looking and honest person so l decided to
contact you on this vital issue. As you may be aware of the death of
my husband, me and my three family members had moved to one of our
hiding estate unknown to any body all our documents have be ceased to
prevent us from traveling.
Please, presently I and my entire family have what I will called “MY
FAMILY LAST RESORT to the tune of U$40 (Forty million United States
Dollars) and already deposited in a security company which will be disclosed
to upon your interest and honesty in helping us.
This fund is our last hope and you will help us to claim and invest it this funds into any good business in your country, pending when
the political turmoil is over and we will come over to meet with you in your country.
Please if you are interested in helping me to receive this money that
is presently in a security company deposited as a family belonging and unknown to them
country.
After a successful process and transfer of this said money into your
bank account, 30% of the total funds will go to you and my son Alaa
will come to your country immediately to start up a business with your
assistance so we will be able save for raining day. You can found out
some of the story on
this web bellow:http://www.deccanherald.com/content/144251/libyas-first-lady-owns-airline.html
I shall give you the contact information of my attorney who will help you to secure all the documents and change it in your name for you to claim this fund in the security company in the
bank when you indicate your interest and he will assist you on any
legal issues to change the Necessary Documents\documentations to yours
name and Power Of Attorney to secure this Fund. I guarantee you that
this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect
you from any breach of Law and is 100% Risk Free Venture.
Please due Kindly indicate your interest in assisting my family by
providing the basic information such as
Full name: …………………
Address:……………………..
Age:…………………..
Occupation : ……………….
Cell number…………………
Thanks for your service in advance.
Sincerely yours
Safia Farkash al-Baraasi.
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