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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found 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: "Mr. Abdul Rafi Koulibaly" <abdulrafkoulibaly@hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2013 04:30:21 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: From Mr. Abdul Rafi Koulibaly.
Dear Friend.
I am Mr. Abdul Rafi Koulibaly from Cote d’ Ivoire a current
serving minister in my country. I have some funds which I deposited in the bank
and because of my position I could not use my name to deposited the fund but I have to use the name of
my colleague to deposit the fund in the bank. Presently because of the situation of
things in my country I am not comfortable as these funds still remain in my
country here, my fear is that one day this will expose and I will lose
everything I had work for and as serving minister eyes is on me.
I
don’t
want these funds to remain in my country any more, I want to transfer
the funds
abroad I am seeking for your favour, and can you be an umbrella to
receive this
fund in your country. Please I am still a serving minister I don't want
this to be expose because of my position I want you to keep it secret
between you and me.Â
If you accept to act as an umbrella to receive
this fund in your country I will give you 20% out of the total money. If I
receive your positive answer I will disclose every information to you and
the amount involve and other needful information.
Mr. Abdul Rafi
Koulibaly.
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Anti-fraud resources:
