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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
Fraud email example:
From: Amin Dada <turkie.wp@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 13 Aug 2015 17:35:07 +0200
Subject: URGENT
Dear friend,
It might interest you to know how I got your contact. I am a banker
working with one of the reputable bank here in Accra, Ghana state
capital and for a very long time now I discovered and have been in
exclusive custody of private deposit information of US$85.2M (EIGHTY
FIVE MILLION TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS) in a Fixed
Account belonging to one of our bank foreign customers who happens
bear the same LAST NAME with you. He was a businessman based here in
Accra where he was running his gold and diamond trade before he
unfortunately died in a plane crash without leaving any written
[WILL]. News of the crash that took his life can be found in the web
link below:
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/en/doc/2003-12/26/content_293549.htm
Main essence of my communication with you is to seek your cooperation
in claiming this fund since you both share the same last name which is
a 100 percent perfection considering the action plan I have set up,
which is providing to you the correct paperwork as the entitled
beneficiary of the fund. I have made several unsuccessful efforts over
the years to locate any relation of his but all to no avail, and the
time is approaching when my bank might recycle it into their assets as
unclaimed fund and it will be reverted to Government Treasury. the
sharing ratio will be 50% to me and 50% for you. We have 14 working
days to run this transaction successfully.
Let me assure you once again that this business will not last more
than 14 working days and I will apply for a leave on health ground in
order to be granted an opportunity by my firm to stay away from work.
That will be my chance to visit you in your location for reimbursement
or signing of investment partnership contract. Note that on your
confirmation of this message and indicating your interest I will
intimate you with more information.
Regards,
Mr. Amin Dada
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Anti-fraud resources:
