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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:
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
Fraud email example:
From: David Johnson Usman <mrdavidjohnsonusman1@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 26 Mar 2018 11:09:50 -0700
Subject: ARE YOU STILL ARE LIVE
FROM THE DESK OF MR. DAVID JOHNSON USMAN
INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND AGENCY
INTERNATIONAL OPERATION DEPT
VICTORIA ISLAND
LAGOS-NIGERIA.
RE-OUTSTANDING PAYMENT
This is to inform you of your long overdue Payment outstanding our
Banking records. I saw your name in the Central Computer among list of
unpaid inheritance claims individuals and have to update your
information through this email contact for immediate confirmation.Your
name appeared among the beneficiaries who will receive a part-payment
of US$8.100,000 million (Eight million and one hundred thousand United
State dollars) and it has been approved already for payment months
ago.
However we received an email from one Mr.Henry J. Berkhout who told us
that he is your next of kin and that you died in a car accident last
four months back.He has also submitted his account information to the
office department for transfer of the fund to him as your inheritor.
We are now verifying by contacting your email address as we have in
our Bank records before we can make the transfer into his account and
for us to conclude confirmation if you are dead or not. Please,
confirm response immediately before our action release of the
outstanding payment against your name listed out.Upon this, i request
you send your full personal information as soon as possible to enable
this department finalize the transfer of the fund release to your
nominated foreign Bank Account. This department needs the following
information from you urgently.
1. Full Names..........
2. Telephone and Fax Number..........
3. Contact Address..........
4. Age..........
5. Occupation..........
6. Sex..........
7.Id Card
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This E-Mail is intended only for the use of
the individual or entity to which it is addressed and may contain
information that is privileged,confidential and exempt from disclosure
under applicable law. Once again, I apologize to you on behalf of
International Monetary fund Agency towards this contact and proper
confirmation required urgently from you if alive.
Thanks,
Yours Sincerely
Mr.David Johnson Usman
International Monetary Fund Agency
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