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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. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Dr.Chris N. Egobia" <egobia.chris@nnpcconsults.com>
Reply-To: egobia.chris@yahoo.com
Date: Fri, 5 Oct 2012 17:46:45 +0900
Subject: INVESTMENT...
>From The Desk Top Of Dr.Chris N. Egobia,
MD/CEO Financial Consultant.
Federal Republic Of Nigeria.
ATTN: Friend,
I have interest of investing in your country as such I decided to establish contact with you for assistance as soon as I am able to transfer my funds for this investment, which is already with a security company
in Asia.There are two basic things i would want you to assist me in:
(1) Helping by traveling to Asia as a front collect these funds from the security company in Asia.
This is because of my inability to travel out of the country which i am taking refuge at the moment with my wife and children which i will explain better to you upon the receipt of your acceptance.
(2)Helping me to carry out feasibility study on areas/choice of investment you deem best for me.I retired as financial consultant and was the last personal financial adviser to the ex- head of state before his demise and have no intention of carrying out any further investment programme in my country for security reasons.
Enclosing your telephone and fax numbers, including your full names.
Yours sincerely,
Dr.Chris N. Egobia.
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Anti-fraud resources:
