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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:
- "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. )
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs. Lenatia Edon." <af22233514@yahoo.co.jp>
Reply-To: "Mrs. Lenatia Edon." <Lenatia.Edon@t-online.de>
Date: Sun, 26 Oct 2014 04:18:11 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Thanks again for your kindness.
Mrs. Lenatia Edon.
Avienda St. Marie No. 12 Angrea
Cote d’Ivoire.
Â
Donation for humanitarian
and charity services.
Â
I am Lenatia Edon, widow
of late Mr. Jhendo Edon. I am
presently very sick with cancer and suffering from the Stroke that happened to
me shortly after the death of my husband.
Â
I have contacted you
because there is the sum of €3,200,000.00 (Three Million Two Hundred Thousand
Euros) deposited in a Security Company here by my late husband and i have
chosen to donate this money for humanitarian and charity services.
Â
Yes, this money is
deposited in a Security Company here and i will be giving you detailed
information once i receive your positive response as regard your readiness to
be part of this humanitarian project.
Â
Our marriage didn’t
produce any child which is why I have decided to donate this money in service
to humanity.
Â
I want you to understand
that you are not under any pressure to accept this responsibility if you know
that your heart is not truly in it. And once you receive this money, please use
to assist the needy and give relief where it is most needed.
Â
This decision is between
me and my creator and i will at least be happy that i have helped a few of
children to the glory of his holy name.
Â
I don’t want any
telephone calls or discussion because of the presence of some people around me
who can do anything to stop me.
Â
I wait for your urgent
reply,
Mrs. Lenatia Edon.
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Anti-fraud resources:
