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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:
- "million 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)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "chambers" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +22566844747 (Cote d'Ivoire, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
Fraud email example:
From: GREG DAWSON <greg.dawson6@btinternet.com>
Reply-To: gregdawson001@hotmail.fr
Date: Mon, 10 May 2010 13:41:19 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: From Greg Dawson Chambers
>From Greg Dawson Chambers
Avocats & Avocats-Conseils
Lot 102311, Avenue Jean Ako
Cocody, Abidjan;
01 B.P. 674722 Abidjan 01,
Cote D'Ivoire.
+225 66844747
+225 08423131
Dear Att:
On behalf of the Trustees and Executor of the estate of Late Mr Theodore Collins. I wish to notify you that late Mr Theodore Collins made you a beneficiary to his WILL. He left the sum of USD$8.000.000 (Eight million United States Dollars) to you in the codicil and last testament to his WILL.
Mr Theodore Collins, until his death he was a member of Shell Petroluem Company and Institute of Eletronic and Electrical Engineers in Ivory Coast.
He was a very dedicated Christian who loved to be involved in Charitable projects.
His great philanthrophy earned him numerous awards during his life time.
Late Mr Theodore Collins, died at the age of 68 years, and his WILL is now ready for execution.
I am hopeful to hear from you as soon as possible.
Yours in Service
Barrister Greg Daswon Esq.
+225 66844747
+225 08423131
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Anti-fraud resources:
