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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
Fraud email example:
From: "James B. Smith" <mrjamssmith@yahoo.cn>
Reply-To: jamesb.smith@yahoo.cn
Date: Mon, 28 May 2012 18:34:57 -0300 (BRT)
Subject: Private Information
Dear Friend
This is my second letter to you, once more my name is James B. Smith, and
I received information from here requesting for the next of kin to my
deceased client. He made fixed deposit of some certain amount of money
last three years before his death. The bank is aware of his death though
he was not married neither did he leave a "WILL" nor Specified next of
kin, the bank is anticipating someone to come along for the claims. As it
is now, no one can put up claims except someone that I recommend and
specifically referred from my department because I have been put in
charge of this matter.
All efforts to get his family relatives have been abortive. I solicit
that you allow me introduce you as his relative. He was aged 56. He lived
and worked here as a foreigner and requested to be buried here.
Kindly let me know if you are interested so that I can give you further
details and certain other documents to enable you contact the bank for
release of the funds to you. I have spoken with the bank manager on this
matter extensively and he is waiting for your introduction to the bank
according to his directives.
All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us seeing this deal
through. I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate
arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law and will
brief you more on the details upon your response. Furthermore you should
endeavour to include the following information.
1; Your Full Name
2; Your direct telephone.
3; Your age
4; Contact address
5; Occupation
Please if you are interested then reply and notify me immediately as you
are the only one I have contacted for this to enable me make an
alternative arrangement if the need should arise. 40% of the funds goes
to you while I get 60%.
Thanks,
James B. Smith
Private Information
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Anti-fraud resources:
