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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:
- "necessary legal documents" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
Fraud email example:
From: "Steven Mark" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <stevenmark1886@Aggies.com>
Date: Sun, 18 Apr 2010 12:09:29 +0100
Subject: Pty Kindred
Hello,
I am inspired to send you this email by the huge fund transfer
opportunity that will be of mutual benefit to us. My late client
James Moore a national of Isle of Man used to work with Shell
Petroleum before his untimely death on 17th April 2003.
Engr.James Moore , his wife and three children were involved in
an Auto accident that claimed their lives,all inquiries to several
embassies to locate any of my clients extended relatives proved
abortive I decide to trace his relatives over the Internet still no
success. Hence, this contact to you.
I contacted you only to assist in repatriating the money otherwise
the estate he left behind will be declared unserviceable by the
bank the deceased had an account value of £6.5 million lying idly
dormant in custody of the bank which issued me a written notice to
provide the next of kin or have the account frozen within 7 days.
I now seek your consent to present you as the next of kin so that
the proceeds of this account can be paid to you since I have all
necessary legal documents to back up our claim. I guarantee you
that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will
protect you and I from any breach of the law all I require is your
honest cooperation to enable us redeem the funds
If this proposal satisfies your interest kindly send me a reply so we
can move forward onto the next step .
Steven Mark
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Anti-fraud resources:
