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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 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)
- "abidjan" (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: Evelin Daoud Rajha <evelindaoudrajha@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 18 Aug 2015 09:54:31 -0800
Subject: Hi
My Dear.
How are you doing? Hope all is well. Please excuse me if I have infringed
into your privacy. This may be strange any way, but I have no option than
to mail you. I am Madam Evelin Daoud Rajha, from Syria by nationality,
widow to the late Former Syrian Defense Minister killed in a bomb attack. I
inherited a total sum of $8.5 Million American dollars from my late
husband, The funds was deposited in the bank in Abidjan Cote D'ivoire, I
will like to transfer the funds to you in your country for investments.
I want an account overseas where i can transfer this funds this is because
i have suffered a lot of set backs. The death of my husband has really
brought sorrow to my life. My main purpose of sending you this mail is
because of the way I found you and perhaps trustworthy persona. Thanks for
your co-operation i wait your urgent response in my email.
Evelin Daoud Rajha.
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Anti-fraud resources:
