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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:
- "the consignment" (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)
- "consignment " (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)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: " Aisha Abed El Salaam Ali." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrs.aishaabede@ymail.com>
Date: Thu, 16 Nov 2017 13:09:43 -0500
Subject: Dear beloved one , Please Do Let Me Hear From You.
Dear beloved one,
I hope this mail doesn't come to you as an embarrassment as i receive unsolicited mails sometimes. The truth about it is that many individuals have failed to understand the use for which the Internet is set for us to benefit, and therefore some abuse the privilege I write this letter to you in secrecy and i plead with you to keep this information that I am about to give you to yourself. I am in a very difficult situation here in Libya as the army woman in charge of all-female bodyguards to late Gaddafi Libyan president.
I have the sum of millions of dollars which I made from my boss through an oil deal before this incident took place in Liby. However when this war started I shipped the boxes to London as personal effect through a shipping line affiliated to Liby. I stated to the shipping company that the consignment belongs to my foreign partner who will contact them soon to make claim. The boxes will be released to you based on my recommendations and I intend to have a front that will claim and manage this funds pending when things clear up.
I cannot invest the money in Liby because of the political instability. I sincerely require your assistance to secure the above amount in your account for safekeeping and investment in your Country. I want to present you as the beneficiary of these boxes for safe keeping. As soon as you reply and confirm your interest to partner me I shall give you full details and what needs to be done. Looking forward to your response and I hope that we can establish a successful business relationship together pending when I can come over. Thereafter, i shall come over to your country as soon as i am free from my country.
We have to maintain absolute confidentiality and honesty with this mutual transaction and your assistance will be highly appreciated and compensated.
Mrs. Aisha Abed El Salaam Ali.
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Anti-fraud resources:
