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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 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)
- "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a orphan scam.
Fraud email example:
From: Rebecca David <rebecca_davidcii@yahoo.co.jp>
Reply-To: Rebecca David <rebeccadavid20@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2014 18:25:05 +0900 (JST)
Subject:
Ms.Rebecca of David
Abidjan, Cote D'Ivoire.
with Respect
I know that this message can find it in big surprise. However, it is just my urgent need for foreign partner that made me to contact you for this path for a transaction. I'm Mrs. Rebecca David 19 years the only son of the late Mr. and Mrs. John David
Before the death of my father in a private hospital here, he secretly called me on his bed side and told me that is the sum of 3.2 million dollars from the united state. ($ 3.2 million) in a fixed account / stay in one of the prime bank here in Abidjan he used my name as his only son for the next of kin in deposit of funds. He also explained that it was because of this wealth that he was killing and warmed me with his brother.
I want you to help me with the following:
(1) To provide a bank account that the money will be transferred.
(2) To serve as a guardian.
(3) To arrange for me to come to your country to further my studies to obtain a residence permit in your country.
I'll offer you 20% of the total amount as compensation for your effort after the successful transfer of this money into your designated account. Waiting to hear from you, please answer me if you can help me with sincerity.
Best regards
Ms Rebecca David
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Anti-fraud resources:
