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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.
- 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.
- musayar@presidency.com (Outblaze.com, Hong Kong; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Dr Iberhim Iberhim <webgggt456@outlook.com>
Reply-To: <musayar@presidency.com>
Date: Thu, 13 Mar 2014 16:01:03 +0200
Subject: VERY IMPORTANT LETTER
From: Hajia Turai Yaradua
(Former First Lady(FRN)
My name is
Hajia Turai Yaradu'a the Former First Lady and also the Wife of Late
President, Federal Republic of Nigeria(FRN) whom died At Hospital in
Saudi Arabia after brief illness.
My main motive of contacting you is to find out if you can assist me invest the sum of Three Million Five Hundred Thousand Euro willed in my name by my late Husband before his death.
The said amount is currently with a reputable bank in Africa with the
name withheld for security purpose till I hear from you. I also wish to
let you know that I have perfected all necessary arrangement with the
relevant Department with the bank in South Africa for transfer of the
money into any bank account I nominate as my foreign Investor.
I
have the entire document covering the money as the money willed in my
name by my late husband which photocopies copies of the document is
currently with the Bank. All I need to do to get the money released to
you in my name is write letter of Introduction to the Bank where the
money is deposited introducing you as my foreign Investor who will take
charge investing the money in my name in any part of Asia or Europe.
Your response is needed indicating your interest to assist me, I am
willing to compensate you with 20% of the total amount, while you can
reach me through my Direct email:musayar@presidency.com
Yours Faithfully,
Hajia Turai Yaradu'a
Former First Lady (FRN)
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Anti-fraud resources:
