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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:
- "might come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "hundred thousand united states 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)
- "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned 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: Ms Saada DAUD <gilbertanne024@gmail.com>
Date:
Subject:
From :Ms Saada Daud..
Add: 1140 angree djibi
ABIDJAN COTE D'IVOIRE WEST AFRICA
Hello.
I am writing this mail to you with tears and sorrow from my heart, I
know that this mail might come to you as a surprise because you don't
know me and I don't know you too.
I am Ms Saada Daud., 21 years old and I am from Cote d'Ivoire,I am the
only child of late Prof Michel Daud who was murdered by REBELS in Cote
D'Ivoire
Before the death of my late father he had a money a deposited with a
Bank in Abidjan Cote D'Ivoire that contains the sum of One Million
Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars Please, I need your
assistance to enable the Bank to transfer the money to your country
for the investments purpose also in order to be my guardian,
I am willing to offer you reasonable percentage from the total money
as compensation for your effort
Your Sincerely
Ms Saada Daud
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Anti-fraud resources:
