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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:
- "hundred thousand u.s 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)
- "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Mrs Edna Martins <jntc_cl@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Mon, 21 Jan 2013 02:40:22 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: New Year Wishes
BELOVED,
MY NAME IS MRS EDNA MARTINS.I AM THE WIFE OF LATE MR.JERRY MARTINS WHO WAS A FAMOUS COCOA MERCHANT BASED HERE IN ABIDJAN, THE CAPITAL CITY OF COTE D' IVOIRE.
PRESENTLY I AM SUFFERING FROM THE CANCER SICKNESS, EVEN AS I AM WRITING TO YOU THIS MESSAGE NOW MY HEALTH CONDITION IS VERY BAD AND FROM ALL INDICATIONS ACCORDING TO MY DOCTORS MEDICAL ANALYSIS,IT IS QUITE OBVIOUS THAT I HAVE JUST FEW MONTHS TO LIVE BECAUSE THE CANCER HAS DONE MANY DAMAGES IN MY HEALTH SYSTEM THAT NO HOPE FOR ME TO SURVIVE IT.
THERE IS THIS HUGE AMOUNT OF TEN MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND U.S DOLLARS ($10.500.000.00) WHICH MY LATE HUSBAND DEPOSITED IN A FINANCE COMPANY HERE IN ABIDJAN COTE D' IVOIRE BEFORE HIS DEATH.
NOW THAT I AM ABOUT TO END THE RACE LIKE THIS WITHOUT ANY FAMILY MEMBERS AND NO CHILD.I HAVE INSTRUCTED THE FINANCE COMPANY TO TRANSFER THE FUND TO THE FIRST FOREIGNER THAT WILL APPLY TO THE FINANCE COMPANY AFTER I HAVE GONE THAT THEY SHOULD RELEASE THE FUND TO HIM/HER.
BUT YOU WILL ASSURE ME THAT YOU WILL TAKE 30% OF THE MONEY AND GIVE 70% TO THE ORPHANAGE HOME IN YOUR COUNTRY FOR MY HEART TO REST.
RESPECTFULLY YOURS,
MRS EDNA MARTINS
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Anti-fraud resources:
