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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "please indicate your willingness" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "might come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million 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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: SHARIF KARIM <sharifkarim2013@hotmail.fr>
Reply-To: sharifkarim@voila.fr
Date: Wed, 18 Sep 2013 02:56:21 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: FROM DR SHARIF KARIM.
FROM DR SHARIF KARIM.
MANAGER BILL AND EXCHANGE DEPT
AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK (ADB)
OUAGADOUGOU BURKINA FASO.
DEAR FRIEND,
This message might come to you as a surprise. However, it all just my urgent need for a foreign partner that made me to contact you for this business transaction. I got your contact from yahoo tourist search while I was searching for a foreign partner. I assured of your capability and reliability to champion this business opportunity when I prayed to God or Allah about you. I am a banker by profession in Burkina Faso West Africa and currently holding the post of assistant foreign remittance director in our bank.
I have the opportunity of transferring the left over funds ($15 million dollars) of one of my bank clients who died along with his entire family on Monday 31st July (2004) in a plane crash.HenceIaminviting you for a business deal where this money can be shared between us in the ratio of 60%40 if you agree to my business proposal. Further details of the transfer will be forwarded to you as soon as I receive your return mail immediately you receive this letter. Please indicate your willingness by sending the below information for more clarification and easy communication.
(1) Your full name_______________________
(2) Your contact address_________________
(3) Your Tel number_______________________
(4) Your age______________________________
(5) Your occupation________________________
Trusting to hear from you immediately, (telephone +22664424661)
Thanks & best regards
DR SHARIF KARIM
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Anti-fraud resources:
