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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:
- This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
- 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. )
- "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)
- "await your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "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: Nuend Forise <nuendforise@hotmail.co.uk>
Reply-To: Nuend Forise <nuendforise1@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 30 Sep 2015 04:31:11 +0900 (JST)
Subject: I am Ms.Nuend Forise an orphan aged 21 Ivorians,
I am Ms.Nuend Forise an orphan aged 21 Ivorians,
I'm looking for urgent help to help me get my line of inheritance that I
inherited from my late father who was killed last month by the rebels
during the political crisis here in my country Ivory Coast. The deposit
is the sum of Four Million Two Hundred Thousand United States Dollars
($4.200.000.00) compiled in a metal box and was deposited to a security
company by my late father in Abidjan with my name as the family before I die,
I want you you help me claim the money box to
your country so that I come to your country to continue my education.
Since I left my studies after the rebels captured the city and began
rapping girls and looting property. I am isolated in a remote village
due to the security of my life, since I'm still a virgin and I do not
want to be challenged by groups of armed men, please help me to recover
and wisely invest the fund in your country. Your urgent response and
suggestions will be helpful to me and once the money is claimed I
managed to get out of here
and meet with you to new life, I would
be willing to offer you 20% of money in appreciation and response to
their attendance I await your
urgent response God bless you
Best Regards
Ms.Nuend Forise
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