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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 us 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 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Anderson Coles <acoles938@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 27 Aug 2015 07:20:42 +0100
Subject: THANKS
Dear Sir,
I am compelled to contact you by e-mail because of the urgency of my
proposal and considering that this is the only safe option for me at the
moment.
My name is Anderson Coles i am a personal assistant to the immediate past
petroleum minister of the Federal republic of Nigeria.
I am presently in custody of USD15 Million (Fifteen Million US Dollars)
which belongs to my boss. At this moment my boss is on the run and has been
declared wanted by the current President Muhamadu Buhari to answer for
fraud and embezzlement.
http://news2.onlinenigeria.com/headline/408543-700-million-raw-cash-found-in-the-home-of-petroleum-minister-diezani-alison-madueke.html
Myself and all other immediate staff of the former minister are also in
hiding as security agents are looking for us and we can't even travel
outside Nigeria as all security agents has been alerted to apprehend us
wherever seen.
I would like you to assist me receive this money since i cannot travel. I
have made arrangements secretly to move this cash sum to Belgium through
the help of some courier agent.
I would like you to travel to Belgium to receive this money on my behalf
under strict confidentiality. I am prepared to share the money in equal
parts with you if you can do this immediately.
You will receive the money on my behalf and deposit my share for me in the
bank there. I hope to travel when the dust comes down.
I am expecting your immediate response.
Thanks.
Anderson Coles.
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Anti-fraud resources:
