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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. )
- "waiting for your urgent response" (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: costumer00211 <costumer00211@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 8 May 2015 21:36:48 +0100
Subject: BUSINESS PROPOSAL
Good Morning Sir/Madam,
I am Femi Fani-Kayode, the Director of Media and Publicity to President
Goodluck Jonathan’s campaign in Nigeria, During this last election I was
entrusted with the huge sums of money running into $120.Million which was
not spent on the election and we under the formal ruling party lost the
Election to Gen. Buhari who has threatened to prosecute us and send us to
jail.
This funds has already being deposited in a Security Company in Europe I
got your contact through my internet search for a foreign partner. I am
establishing this contact with you based on trust and in utmost confidence
having considered you highly reputable and capable of assistance to my
understated business proposal.
I want to invest in a good business over there in your country. Please
highlight me on other areas to invest the fund in your country; my interest
goes to real estate development and building materials. But if you have any
other areas which you knows that will be good and profitable for us to
invest this fund there in your country, then do let me know when replying
this mail.
The full details shall be given to you when I hear from you indicating your
interest.
NOTE THAT THE HAND OVER DATE TO THE NEW GOVERNMENT IS MAY 28TH THIS MONTH
AND I WILL LIKE THIS FUND TO BE TRANSFERRED INTO YOUR ACCOUNT AS SOON AS
POSSIBLE
I am waiting for your urgent response
Yours Faithfully,
Femi Fani-Kayode
PLEASE RESPOND THROUGH MY PRIVATE EMAIL ADDRESS
Fani-Kayode@outlook.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
