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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:
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: omeka oke <kadriyusufu@hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 29 Sep 2015 15:32:55 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: FROM THE DESK OF MR HMMED PRIOD
FROM THE DESK OF MR HMMED PRIOD
 THE HEAD OF FILE ANDAUDITING DEPARTMENT,
 BANK OF AFRICA(B.O.A)
 Ouagadougou Burkina-Faso (West Africa)
REMITTANCE OFUS$7,300,000.00
CONFIDENTIAL IS THECASE. VERY URGENT ATTENTION
 This messagemight meet you in utmost surprise; however, it's just my Urgent need forforeign partner that made me to contact you for this transaction I am abanker by profession from Burkina Faso in West Africa and currentlyholding the post of director Auditing and accounting unit of the bank.
 I have theopportunity of transferring the left over Funds ($7.3million) of one of my bankclients who died Along with his entire family in a plane crash. Hence, i aminviting you for a business deal where this money can be shared betweenus in the ratio of 60/40 I will like to inform you that this transactionis 100% risk free, WHILE further details of the transfer will be forwarded toyou as soon as I receive your return mail. And also promise me that you willnot disappoint me when this fund hits your account.
 Meanwhile theWorld Bank Group has mandated the BANK OF AFRICA Burkina Faso to releasethis unclaimed fund immediately when the next of kin is discovered withdue application.
 This paymentwill be effected through Swift Telegraphic Transfer in conjunction with thesupport of the World Bank.
 Your Urgentresponse is needed for immediate transfer of this fund into your receiving bankaccount.
 (FILL THISFORM BELLOW PLEASE AND RESEND IT TO ME).
1) Your Full Name
2) Your Age
 3) MaritalStatuses
 4) Your Sex
 5) Your CellPhone Number
6) Your Occupation
 7) YourReligion
 8) Your Country
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Anti-fraud resources:
