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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:
- "account in your country or any safer place" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "contact me immediately" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: rita emma <rita11emma@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 3 Jun 2013 06:50:16 -0700
Subject: URGENT REPLY NEEDED
*
*
*From A widow woman To Honest Person For Assistance.*
*
*
*Dear Partner,*
* I am Mrs. Rosary Ahmed from Thailand . I am a widow being that I lost
my husband a couple of months ago. My husband was a serving director of
Gold Bar and Dust exporting board until his death.*
* *
*He was assassinated last January by the rebels following the political
uprising.*
*Before his death he had a foreign account here in Thailand up to the tune
of {35 Million euros } which he told the Thailand Bank was for the
importation of Gold Bar and Dust refinery machine.*
* *
*I want you to do me a favor to receive this funds to a safe account in
your country or any safer place as the beneficiary . I have plans to do
investment in your country, like real estate , Gold Bar shipment and
industrial production.*
*This is my reason for writing to you. Please if you are willing to assist
me and my only son Johnson, indicate your interest in replying soonest and
i promise you 35% of the funds if you can help me to receive the funds .*
*N/B: Please contact me immediately with the above so that i can introduce
you to the Thailand Bank where the funds are deposited in Thailand . *
* *
* Thanks and best regards.*
* *
*Mrs. Rosary Ahmed*
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Anti-fraud resources:
