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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:
- "can i completely trust you?" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "your humble assistance" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- This email message is a orphan scam.
Fraud email example:
From: HOUNGBEDJI Marc <bmoh_phansi@wbhealth.gov.in>
Reply-To: "HOUNGBEDJI Marc" <houngbedjimarc@hotmail.com>
Date: Sun, 22 Nov 2015 05:11:51 +0530 (IST)
Subject: VERY URGENT
Dearest Beloved one
May l request for your assistance and also to go into business partnership with you, i believe that you will not betrayed my trust which i am going to lay on you. I am Marc Houngbedji , 22years old and the only child of my late parents MR. and MRS Kenneth Houngbedji. My father was a highly reputable business magnet-(Gold merchant)who operated in the capital of Benin Republic during his days. It is sad to say that he passed away mysteriously in France during one of his business trips abroad year 12th.Febuary 2014.Though his sudden death was linked or rather suspected to have been masterminded by an uncle of his who travelled with him at that time. But God knows the truth! My mother died when I was just 4 years old, and since then my father took me so special. Before his death on February 12th 2014 he “WILLâ€LEGALY to me the sum of $12.500.000USD deposited with one the leading banks here. I am just 22years old and a university undergraduate and really don't know what to do. This is because I have suffered a lot of set back since the death of my father. The death of my father actually brought sorrow to my life. dear ,I am in a sincere desire of your humble assistance in this regards to move this money to your country for a lucrative business as l wish to come over and continue my education under your care .Your suggestions and ideas will be highly regarded. Now permit me to ask these few questions:-
1. Can I completely trust you?
2. What percentage of the total amount in question will be good for you?
Consider this and get back to me as soon as possible .
Marc
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Anti-fraud resources:
