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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:
- "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. )
- "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)
- "my names are " (a common phrase found 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: Mariam Ibori <mariamibori@outlook.com>
Date: Thu, 12 Feb 2015 14:56:45 +0100
Subject: GET IN TOUCH WITH ME
Dear Sirs/Madam
I sincerely apologies for intruding in your privacy. Though my aim of
contacting you is based on a mutual business relationship. My names are Miss
Mariam Ibori the daughter of the former Governor of Delta State of Nigeria who
is currently serving a jail term in UK due to his involvement in Money Laundry.
Prior to his incarceration ,on one of my visit to my Father last year
December 2013 he told me of a secret of a deposit made on his names in a
security company in Asia. After deliberately consider his plight I then
asked him what we need to do about that deposit in order to secure the funds.
Then he told me to look for a foreigner as a partner that will stand as
the next of kin to the deposited funds. As the foreigner will stand a chance to
claim the funds as we may not want our names to be mentioned to avoid the eagle
eye of the Economic on Financial Crime Commission(EFCC.)
Based on this I now decided to source for a reliable/trustworthy person that
can claim the said funds.
This made me to source through internet search and on going through your profile
I now decided to contact you as my Father’s associate in business to stand as
the DEPOSITOR.
Therefore if these offer interests you then kindly get back to me with your
full details information to enable me give you direction on how we shall go about
this.
Finally, the amount involved is to the tune of USD35.5(Thirty five million Five
hundred thousand United States Dollars)
For your services /involvement we have agreed to give you 25% of the total sum,
while 70% will be for us and 5% will be set aside for any miscellaneous
expenses during the transaction. Sir if this offer is welcome by you then send
to me your International Passport,Telephone number and your residential address
as it will be handed over to the security company in order to replace the names
of my Father.
Thanks while I await your favorable response.
Yours Faithfully,
Mariam Ibori
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