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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "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)
- "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.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- annkairab@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: <annzoe@seznam.cz>
Date: Sat, 09 Nov 2013 21:41:09 +0100 (CET)
Subject: Hello Dear
In a brief introduction,
Â
I am Ann Zoe (20 years) the
only surviving child of late Dr. Edward .k. Zoe. I am in possesion of
some documents covering the deposit of US$5 Million Dollars (Five
million dollars) which my late father deposited in one of the bank in
ABIDJAN Capital city of COTE D'IVORE, I got your email on my search at the
internet.
I have verified the transaction with the bank here and it's authencity is
clear. This fund is of no criminal origin as it was realised from sales of
the alluvial gold dust.
I am soliciting for your kind assistance in retrieving and claiming this
fund from the bank here as my father's business associate and have it
transferred to your account in your country for investment. You will also
serve as the guardian to this fund as i'm not at all knowledgeable in the
international business world. I will give you further details as soon as I
hear from you and we will also discuss terms and condition,you can contact
me on private email annkairab@yahoo.com
Best wishes
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Anti-fraud resources:
