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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:
- "escrow account with no beneficiary" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "to your nominated bank account" (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)
- "hundred thousand united state 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)
- "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)
- "confidentiality of this transaction" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: MR. BILL JOHNSON <billjohnson0987@outlook.com>
Date: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 05:46:30 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: URGENT ATTENTION!!!!
Sir,
I sent an email to you but it seems you never received it. I had to take the pains to send it again. My name is Mr. Bill Johnson, the regional manager of a bank here in Ghana.
I have packaged a transaction that worth Three Million Six hundred thousand united state dollars (US$3,600,000.00.)Accrued for compensations by contractors who where assisted with loans from the bank without the normal collateral when I was in position to do the business.
The compensations were made by the contractors after returning the loan within the stipulated time. This was not detected by the renowned auditors from my head office. I have moved the funds to what the bank call Escrow Account with no beneficiary.
Meanwhile as you know I can not be directly connected to this fund for obvious reasons. So my contacting you is to assist me receive the funds in your country, which I know is possible if you liaise properly with me and get 30% of the total funds as
your benefit.
l want you to stand as the depositor/beneficiary to the fund and apply to our head office to closure/transfer of the fund to your nominated bank account for our benefits. The transfer will be made via wired transfer. Can I trust you and can you work with me?
Thanking you in advance for your kind and understanding. Could you please send your response to my private email for the
confidentiality of this transaction for more details.
I await your positive response towards my message
Regards.
Mr. Bill Johnson.
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