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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:
- "from the desk of" (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)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
- 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.
- +447035949099 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- aaronandpartners.lawfirm101@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "FROM THE DESK OF:AARON & PARTNERS LLP" <info@lawfirm.org>
Reply-To: aaronandpartners.lawfirm101@gmail.com
Date: Sat, 29 Aug 2009 06:29:30 +0700
Subject: NOTIFICATION OF BEQUEST
FROM THE DESK OF:AARON & PARTNERS LLP.
MANAGING PARTNER
AARON & PARTNERS LLP
GROSVENOR COURT
FOREGATE STREET CHESTER
ENGLAND.
NOTIFICATION OF BEQUEST
On behalf of the Trustees and Executor of the estate of Late Engr. Lurther
Klein,I once again try to notify you as my earlier letter returned
undelivered.
Late Engr.Lurther Klein left the sum of 5 million five hundred
thousand United
States Dollars ($5,500.000.00 USD) to you in the codicile and last
testament to
his WILL. This may sound unbelievable to you, but it is true. He must
have been
in contact with you in the past or you were recommended to him by one of his
numerous friends who wished you good.He was a member of numerous
organisations. I want you to contact me via
Email:aaronandpartners.lawfirm101@gmail.com
Get back to me immediately.
Thank you for your anticipated co-operation.
Yours Faithfully,
David Morgan,
Aaron & Partners LLP.
Tel:+447035949099
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Anti-fraud resources:
