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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:
- "my names are " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Dr Tony Eke <dreketony1414@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 24 Jan 2014 14:10:46 +0100
Subject: I NEED YOUR INVESTMENT RELATIONSHIP"
Sir/Ma,
My names are Dr Tony Eke personal assistant to the head of service
pension board. I have directed by my boss to seek for a reliable
person who can be entrusted with the sun amount $12.5million to invest
for five years and have the principal amount return back to our
pension board bank account. I know that we have never met before but I
belief that similarity begins just in one day and I hope to having a
lasting business relationship with you.
This is because; the $12.5m is going to be release into your bank
account in outside our country shore. If you will be trusted and
capable to handle the fund keep me informed right now for further
information procedures required and how yearly profit shall be shared
between us. I wish and will be glad to receive your reply.
Thank you very much.
Dr Tony Eke.
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Anti-fraud resources:
