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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:
- "huge sum of money" (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 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 next of kin scam.
Fraud email example:
From: imoma Gee <imomagee@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 28 Sep 2014 16:55:57 +0100
Subject: Need a Business Partner
Dear Sir,
Permit me to share this opportunity with you, I am Ramond Wassi, a staff of
a Bank here in Benin Republique. I am writing you this proposal with
regards to an opportunity I have in my office that will be of immense
beneficial to both of us.
I am the personal account manager to one of our client that deposited huge
sum of money in our bank but unfortunately he died through a motor
accident.
I personally know that no one will come, because he disguise himself during
the time of the deposit as he looted Government treasury and made a
deposit of $200M (Two Hundred Million United States dollars) into the
account.
It may interest you to note that I know everything about this deposit and
also know how to go about getting all the necessary approval for the funds
transfer into any foreign account you may want for any high-yield
investment overseas. I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin
to the deceased so that the proceeds of this account can be paid to you.
I guarantee you that this will beexecuted under a legitimate arrangement
that will protect you from any breach of the law here and 100% risk-free.
Kindly forward your private telephone number for sailent voice
communication discussion regarding to this deal okay.
Best regards
Wassi
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Anti-fraud resources:
