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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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.)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
- 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.
- edward.chamberlin@btinternet.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Barrister Edward" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <edwardchamberlin@yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 23 Nov 2009 07:11:56 -0800
Subject: INVESTMENT AGREEMENT
Sir/Madam,
I wish to let you know that I have a client who wants to invest in your country. This amount is over A Hundred Million United States Dollars. I will give you more details and how much he wishes to invest, if you will assure us that you are a reliable Investor, If you can handle this Investment Procurement , please get back to me ASAP to discuss more and I will study your Feasibility appraisal. Note that a fully signed and stamped Memorandum of Understanding with Probate of Seal will be initiated in this business venture to aid in guiding both parties' commitments in this transaction. Kindly send me the below in formations for my perusal:
1. Your Complete Full Names .
2. Your Residential Address .
3. Your age and Occupation .
4. Your Phone and Fax Numbers for Easy and Faster Communication.
Waiting to hearing from you.
Yours truly
Barrister Edward C
edward.chamberlin@btinternet.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
