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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:
- "the consignment" (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)
- "consignment " (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)
- "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: sophia rana <sophiarana56@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 11 Jan 2014 00:47:43 +0100
Subject: TREAT AS URGENT
Hello,
I hope this mail doesn't come to you as an embarrassment as i receive
unsolicited mails sometimes. The truth about it is that many individuals
have failed to understand the use for which the Internet is set for us to
benefit, and therefore some abuse the privilege.
I write this letter to you in secrecy and i plead with you to keep this
information that I am about to give you to yourself. I am in a very
difficult situation here in Libya as one of the female body guards of to
the embattled Libyan president.
I have the sum of 6.5 million dollars which I made from my boss through an
oil deal before this incident took place in our country. However when this
war started I shipped the boxes to London as personal effect through a
shipping line affiliated to our country. I stated to the shipping company
that the consignment belongs to my foreign partner who will contact them
soon to make claim. The boxes will be released to you based on my
recommendations and I intend to have a front that will claim and manage
this funds pending when things clear up.
I cannot invest the money in my country because of the political
instability. I sincerely require your assistance to secure the above amount
in your account for safekeeping and investment in your Country. I want to
present you as the beneficiary of these boxes for safe keeping. As soon as
you reply and confirm your interest to partner me I shall give you full
details and what needs to be done. Looking forward to your response and I
hope that we can establish a successful business relationship together
pending when I can come over.
We have to maintain absolute confidentiality and honesty with this mutual
transaction and your assistance will be highly appreciated and
compensated.
Sophia Rana
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Anti-fraud resources:
