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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:
- "dearest beloved one," (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "transfer into your 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)
- "liberia" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Bridggie William <briwilliam1@gmail.com>
Reply-To: birdggiewilliam@yahoo.com
Date: Mon, 26 Jun 2017 13:37:48 +0000
Subject: HELLO
Dearest Beloved One,
I am Mrs. Birdggie William Diallo: I am an European but married to
African man late Gen Souleymane Kelefa Diallo who died in a plane
crash while leading the team to Liberia for the Liberia's army day
celebration, please verify on this site
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-21408958
Please accept my apology for the inconveniences of any sort this mail
might cause you. I want to make a donation of $4.2m to help Orphans
and Widows and Charitable homes in your Country, I assume you will be
able to claim this Fund and use it to take care of the needy in your
country since I am seriously ill as confirmed by my family doctor who
ran a test on me and confirmed I have cancer and may not last for the
next 3 months. Since I had no child for my late husband and discovery
on my health is cutting off my dreams.
Treat this mail as urgent because my mind is not at rest because I am
writing this letter now through the help of my computer beside my sick
bed. Please reply back to me immediately for more details on how you
will claim this fund.
As soon as i hear from you that you are competent to execute my
desire, i will instruct the bank management to make the immediate
transfer into your account.
Remain blessed.
Bridggie William Diallo
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Anti-fraud resources:
