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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:
- "hundred thousand us 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 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "alex holmes" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <informholmes@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 9 Oct 2010 10:03:05 -0700
Subject: Alex Holmes
The issue I am presenting to you is a case of my deceased client Johan Lake who did not will fortune to any next-of-kin. I am now faced with who to pass the fortune to, It involves a time deposit of (Nineteen Million, Three Hundred Thousand US Dollars only)
The circumstances surrounding the death of the depositor with no known nominated successor has made it difficult to locate anyone who is directly related to the deceased.
The strategy is to use my position as his Attorney to present you as a Next of Kin so you can stand as beneficiary of the time deposit for capitalization to your account so that we can share amongst ourselves.
I expect your response and shall provide further details and if in the affirmative, Please contact me on this personal email:
Alexander Holmes Esq.
Associate Attorney.
ASG and Associates,London
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Anti-fraud resources:
