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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:
- "huge deposit" (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 next of kin scam.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
Fraud email example:
From: "Fred Adams" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <barr_fredadams196@live.com>
Date: Thu, 13 Aug 2009 22:37:27 -0700
Subject: INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP!
Dear Partner,
I am Barrister Fred Adams. I am reaching you in regard of handling an investment portfolio.
I am soliciting your assistance in repatriating this funds and property left behind by my late client before it is been confiscated by the government and declared unserviceble by the bank where the huge deposit is lodged. My Client died intestate and every attempt to trace any member of his family has proved unsuccessful and abortive.
Do note that your identity or country of origin does not matter. I will give you more information upon your response.
You should respond by sending the following;
1. Your full names
2. Tel & fax numbers
3. Complete Address
4.Your occupation
I humbly look forward to your soonest response.
Yours Faithfully,
Barrister Fred Adams Esq.
London, U.K.
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Anti-fraud resources:
