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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "a security company " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "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)
- "urgent assistance" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "mariam abacha" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- 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.
- mariamabacha196@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mariam Abacha" (may be fake)
Date: Thu, 24 Jul 2014 21:34:11 -0500
Subject: ATTENTION
FROM: MRS. MARIAM ABACHA
Plot 1 Sanni Abacha Crescent,
Sabon Geri Kano State.
Dear Friend,
I am Mrs. Mariam Abacha, the widow of the late Gen.Sanni Abacha former Nigeria Military Head of State who died mysteriously as a result of Cardiac Arrest.
Since after my husband death i have been under restriction of movement and that not withstanding my family members are being molested, policed and our Bank Account both here and abroad are being frozen by the Nigeria Civilian Government.
Following the recent discovery of my husband?s Bank Account by the Nigeria Government with Swiss Bank in which the huge sum of US$700 Million and DM450 Million was logged.I therefore decided to contact you in confidence that I was able to move out the sum of US$42.5 Million Dollars which was secretly defaced and is sealed in one Metal boxes for security reasons.
I therefore personally appeal to you seriously and religiously for your urgent assistance to move this money into your country where I believe it will be safe since I cannot leave the country due to the restriction of movement imposed on me and members of my family by the Nigeria Government.
Please kindly send me your telephone number,fax number and also your full name,address which i will hand over to my attorney to prepare you on how to claim the funds from the security company.
However arrangements have been put in place to move this money out of the country in a secret vault through a security company and as soon as you indicate your interest my Lawyer shall send you all related documents that will enable you claim the Luggage on my behalf.
Conclusively we have agreed to offer you 25% of the total sum while 70% is to be held on trust by you until we can decide on a suitable business investment in your country subsequent to our free movement by the Nigeria Government. While 5% is mapped out for expenses as your government may demand for tax and it also covers your telephone bills.
Please reply urgently and treat with absolute confidentiality and sincerity.
Best regards.
please response through my email; mariamabacha196@gmail.com
BARR..ADAMU IBRAHIM
My direct cell phone Tell. +234-9095621132.
HAJIA MARIAM ABACHA (MRS).
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Anti-fraud resources:
