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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.
- 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:
- "may come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "hundred thousand 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.
- 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.
- misskarina.coulibaly@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: MISS KARINA COULIBALY <frez2013@yahoo.co.jp>
Reply-To: MISS KARINA COULIBALY <frez2012@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Sun, 30 Nov 2014 00:14:09 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: GREETINGS TO YOU.
 From Karina Coulibaly
Accra - Ghana
Email - misskarina.coulibaly@yahoo.fr
Good Day,
Â
My name is Karina Coulibaly, an Ivorian national but living presently in Ghana. I know this letter may come to you as a surprise but i am writing you with utmost confidence and trust regarding the sum of (US $ 16.7 Million) Sixteen Million Seven Hundred Thousand United States Dollars inherited from my late father, a cocoa merchant and a contractor in the ousted President Laurent Gbagbo's government of the Ivory Coast.
Â
I wish to invest in your country if i can have your assured support and willingness to help me sincerely since you are living in a more peaceful country. I will be giving you Twenty percentage of the total money in appreciation for your assistance.
Â
Kindly get back to me if my proposal interests you. My appreciation goes to you as you indicate your willingness to help me so i can give you a detailed explanation about the proposal.
Every information regarding this transaction is already perfected, so (if you are interested) you should please email me with the following information:
1 Full Name
2 Address (physical)
3.Telephone numbers and fax So that we can be communicating privately.
Should it be that you are not interested in this proposal, please just disregard my email and never let anyone know about it.
Â
Thanks in anticipation and looking forward to your sincere response.
Â
Yours beloved,
Â
Miss Karina Coulibaly
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Anti-fraud resources:
