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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:
- "top secret" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr.Pholus Datos" <mrpholusdatos@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 26 Nov 2012 20:37:09 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: CONFIDENTIAL IS THE CASE. VERY URGENT ATTENTION.
I NEED YOUR ASSISTANCE INTO THIS TRANSACTION
FROM Mr.Pholus Datos.
The Head of File and Auditing Department,
BANK OF AFRICA (B.O.A)
Ouagadougou Burkina-Faso (West Africa)
REMITTANCE OF US$20, 5; MILLION
CONFIDENTIAL IS THE CASE. VERY URGENT ATTENTION.
This message might meet you in utmost surprise,
however, it's just my Urgent need for foreign partner that made me to contact
you for this transaction I am a banker by profession from Burkina Faso in West
Africa and currently holding the post of director Auditing and accounting unit
of the bank.
I have the opportunity of transferring the left over
Funds ($20.5 million) of one of my bank clients who died Along with his entire
family in a plane crash.
All expenses incurred by you and me in this
transaction will be deducted out from the 10% of the total fund before the
sharing of the fund according to the percentages agreed. I will come over to
your country as soon as the transfer is over to receive my own share of the
fund for further investments by your advice. Please I want you to understand
that a stitch in time saves nine so write back and tell me if you really want
to carry out this transaction with me.
From banking experience it will take up to fourteen
(14) working days to conclude this transfer. I sincerely need your help because
this might be my first and last opportunity of hitting big money. I also would
want you to treat this affair as both urgent, top secret and confidential. I
want you to also know that this transaction will involve some expenses which
will be shared among both of us.
This payment will be effected through Swift
Telegraphic Transfer.
Your Urgent response is needed for immediate transfer
of this fund in to your receiving bank account.
http://newswww.bbc.net.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/oxfordshire/4537663.stm
(FILL THIS FORM BELLOW PLEASE AND RESEND IT TO ME).
Your name in full.......................... ........
Your country....................... ..................
Your age...............................................
Your cell phone....................................
Your occupation.................... ...............
Your sex...............................................
Your International passport..................
Your marital status................................
Your bank name.......................... ..........
Best Regards,
Mr.Pholus Datos.
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