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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)
- "please indicate your willingness" (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: malik ahmed <malikahmedtg@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 30 Sep 2013 10:31:20 +0000
Subject: CAN WE DO IT
Dear Friend,
This message might meet you in utmost surprise. However, it all just
my urgent need for a foreign partner that made me to contact you for
this 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. I am a banker by
profession in Togo,And currently holding the post of assistant foreign
remittance director in our bank. i have the opportunity of
transferring the left over funds ($9.5 million dollars) of one of my
bank clients who died along with his entire family in a plane
crash.Hence; I am inviting you for a business deal where this money
can be shared between us in the ratio of 70/30% 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. Please Contact Me In this
email .
(1) Your Full name..............................
(2) Your Contact address........................
(3) Your phone and fax number...................
(4) Your Age....................................
(5) YOUR COUNTRY NAME...........................
(6) Your Occupation...........…………..............
(7) Your Private E-mail.........................
Hoping to hear from you immediately
Yours faithfully
MRS HELLEN MORGAN
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Anti-fraud resources:
