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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:
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million american 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)
- "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: cindy kofi <cindykofi3@gmail.com>
Reply-To: johnatah02@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 20 Mar 2015 03:34:12 -0700
Subject: DEAREST ONE
FROM MISS CINDY KOFI MENASH
ACCRA GHANA WEST AFRICA
DEAREST ONE
I AM MISS CINDY KOFI MENASH FROM ACCRA GHANA AND I AM CONTACTING YOU
BECAUSE I NEED YOUR HELP IN THE MANAGEMENT OF A SUM OF MONEY AND 60KG
GOND THAT MY DEAD FATHER LEFT FOR ME BEFORE HE DIED.THIS MONEY IS USD
3.5 MILLION AMERICAN DOLLARS AND THE MONEY AND 60KG GOND IS IN A BANK
HERE IN ACCRA GHANA.
MY FATHER WAS A VERY RICH COCOA FARMER AND HE WAS POISONED BY HIS
BUSINESS COLLEAGUES AND NOW I WANT YOU TO STAND AS MY GUIDIAN AND
APPOINTED BENEFICIARY AND RECEIVE THE MONEY IN YOUR COUNTRY SINCE I AM
ONLY 19 YEARS AND WITHOUT MOTHER OR FATHER.
PLEASE I WILL LIKE YOU TO REPLY TO THIS EMAIL SO THAT I WILL TELL YOU
ALL THE INFORMATION SO THAT THIS MONEY WILL BE TRANSFERRED TO YOU SO
THAT YOU WILL GET ME PAPERS TO TRAVEL TO YOUR COUNTRY TO CONTINUE MY
EDUCATION THERE.I AM WAITING FOR YOUR URGENT REPLY AND I WILL CALL YOU
AS SOON AS I HEAR FROM YOU. I AM SENDING TO YOU A COPY OF MY PICTURE
SO THAT YOU WILL KNOW TH E PERSON YOU ARE HELPING.
1. IN FULL:.....................................
2. ADDRESS:.....................................
3. NATIONALITY:.................................
4. AGE:.........................................
5. OCCUPATION:..................................
6. Phone: ...........Fax: .....................................
7.COUNTRY OF RESIDENCE.....................................
THANKS.
Best regards
MISS CINDY KOFI MENASH
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Anti-fraud resources:
