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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.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "million united states 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: Mr Ibrahim Shekarau <basanthlal@tristar-transport.com>
Reply-To: <ibrahimshekarau01@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 16 Aug 2014 19:12:07 -0400
Subject: How are you?
How are you? I have a business proposal that will interest both parties and I really hope our connection will yield positive response.
I am the Former Governor of Kano state in Nigeria and also a Presidential candidate for 2015 Presidential Election. Presently I am facing political problem with the ruling Party who do not want something good for Nigeria, they have seize most of my property and froze my bank account.
I wish to Invest $20 million in real estate or hotel management or any valuable business idea you can come up with under your direct supervision, your assistance is therefore
needed in receiving, investing and managing the $20 million. (Twenty million United states dollars). You will be paid 10% of the total amount, and an additional 10% from the ROI (RETURNS OF INVESTMENT). I will demand Your 100% honesty, confidentiality and cooperation as regard to this matter. This funds is off records so I need to make arrangement on how to transfer it as soon as possible. These funds is all I have left until my assets and other bank account is release by the government so i need to be fast about this and I need someone I can trust. I was advise by my manager to transfer this funds to someone I have not heard business deal in the past and that is the reason have contacted you.
If you are willing and ready to partner with me kindly state your interest so i can furnish you with more details.
I anticipate your soonest response.
Mr Ibrahim Shekarau
Former Governor Kano State.
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Anti-fraud resources:
