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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:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "million 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)
- "nigeria national petroleum corporation" (the name of a person or institution often appearing 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: "Joseph" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <joseph.cole2018@yandex.com>
Date: Mon, 20 Feb 2017 20:51:37 -0800
Subject: Re> Investment
Dear Sir/Madam,
My name is Mr. Joseph Cole personal assistant to Andrew Yakubu former
General Managing Director of Nigeria National Petroleum
corporation(NNPC) who is currently being held by Economic and Financial
Crime commision on discovery of 9.2 million dollars and 74,000 Great
Britain Pounds in a safe in his residence. He is now facing charges of
money laudering.
During our tenure of office, he gave me the sum of 4.5 million dollars
which I am willing to invest in real estate business in your country
which will be managed by you and the percentage of your assistance will
be negotiated in my next mail, hence I am contacting you to help me
receive this money in your country for the investment purposes in Real
estate business. when you indicate your interest I will advise you on
how the funds will be sent to you. Please forward the following
information if you are interested to assist me manage this funds.
1. Your personal name and address
2. Your personal telephone number for easy communication.
3. A valid identification of you either driving license or
international passport.
4. Age
5. Occupation
Looking forward in doing business with you.
Awaiting your response.
Mr. Joseph Cole
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Anti-fraud resources:
