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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:
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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. )
- "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)
- "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: "Mrs. Helena Anani." <oizdca@t-online.de>
Reply-To: "helena_enedo@hotmail.com" <helena_enedo@hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 9 Nov 2015 11:23:41 +0100 (MET)
Subject: Thanks so much for your kindness.
Mrs. Helena Anani.
N° 20 Avenue 16 Treichville.
Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire.
I am Mrs. Helena Anani, widow of late Dr. Inoru Anani who served as a
director at the National Cocoa Board and later went into private business
upon retirement. He was a reputable Cocoa merchant who operated both here
and the entire African Coast.
He died during the political crisis/civil war that happened in our country
here sometime ago. . But before his death, he told me about the sum of Four
Million Six Hundred Thousand Euros (€4,600,000.00) which he deposited with
a Security Company here in a safe deposit box and declared as family
valuables.
Please i and my only child (Jonathan) have contacted you now to support and
assist us to move this money out of the Security Company for safety reason
and for investment in any profitable business over there based on your
advice.
Considering my need for your support and assistance to release and move out
of here, i will like you to reply me if you are interested and fully ready
to partner me this project with me.
I have contacted you now for assistance and support and i assure you that
my plan is safe and you make 20% of the total money as soon as you receive
this money in your country.
I would also rely on you to design and implementation of investment
projects for a joint business partnership once the money safely in your
care for our common benefit because of your better knowledge.
Thanks as we wait to hear from you.
Respectfully.
Mrs. Helena Anani.
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Anti-fraud resources:
