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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 united states 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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Sylvie Kamara" <sk.1993@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 23 Jul 2013 12:42:45 -0200
Subject: Re: Very Urgent Message
Dear Respected Friend
I am Miss Sylvie Kamara, I am the only daughter and child of late Mr. Donald Kamara who
was a famous wealthy cocoa merchant in Cote d’Ivoire west Africa before he was poisoned
by his business associates on their business conference meeting.
Meanwhile It was wonderful to know about you through your profile and it’s a pleasure to
be in touch with a person that have a vast experience in business.
My father died and left Six Million Eight Hundred Thousand United States Dollars
($6,800,000.00) with a bank here in my country which I am the only next kin to inherit
the money.
I want you to help me transfer the money to your account for an Investment in your
country. You will also arrange for me to come over to your country to continue my
education while you will invest the money into a good business investments in your
country on my behalf.
I am willing to 25% of the money for your efforts input to assist me transfer the money
to your account.
Please i need your response urgently.
I am waiting to hear from you urgently. Reply me as soon as you read this email for more
details
Thanks and regards
Miss Sylvie Kamara
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Anti-fraud resources:
