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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:
- "million us 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: Ms aaa <lianalijohn@yahoo.co.jp>
Reply-To: msviabdsy@yahoo.com
Date: Thu, 4 Apr 2013 22:53:30 +0800 (CST)
Subject: Mrs
Mrs Lian Charles H. Aldrich,
Compliment of the day to you. I am Mrs Lian Charles H. Aldrich, I am sending this brief letter to solicit your partnership to transfer $18.5million US Dollars. I shall send you more information and procedures when I receive a positive response from you and acceptance for investment of the fund in your country in a lucrative business.
I do not want a situation where this money will be used in a bad way. That is why I am taking this decision. Not afraid of death hence I know where I am going.according to Exodus 14 v 14 says that fight my case and I shall conduct my peace."
When my late husband Mr Charles H. Aldrichwas alive he deposited this $18.5million US Dollars in A bank in Abidjan Cote d'Ivoire in West Africa. Presently, this money is still in the benk there, So i need your help. Recently my doctor told me I will not last more then eight months due to cancer problem and I cried and ask God why.
I will waiting to hear from you as soon you read this message
Yours Belove Sister in
Mrs Lian Charles H. Aldrich
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Anti-fraud resources:
