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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:
- "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)
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Mr John Edozie <mrjohnedozie@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Mon, 19 Jan 2015 01:02:36 +0100
Subject: Please respond in a timely manner!
Attention!
My name is Mr John Edoze, an accountant and a General Manager with the
United Bank for Africa Lagos Nigeria. I have Forty Eight Million United
States dollars (USD48Million) ready to be transferred with your co
operation. I have been monitoring this fund for over three years because
the original owner of the funds died with his entire family in a plane
crash and leaving nobody to claim the funds as the next of KIN. Please if
you are interested quickly get back to me with your bank data which you
intend to receive the funds. Thanks for your anticipated co operation.
Best regards,
Mr John Edoze.
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Anti-fraud resources:
