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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:
- "chambers" (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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Morris Kofi" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <morriskofi@centrum.sk>
Date: Wed, 17 Nov 2010 18:24:30 -0000
Subject: To whom it may concern
To whom it may concern,
I am Mr. Morris Kofi personal account to one of my late client I am writing you this mail in respect of my very good client who shares the same last name with you and a national of your country who after his death deposited some amount of money here in one of the leading Finance Firm in Ghana totaling US$21.8M.
My reason why I contact you is this, I found your profile and your contact information through Ghana chambers of commerce and decided to contact you since you share the same surname with my late client to work with you and have the fund move to your country for investment purpose.
Upon the respond of my mail I will detail you on the steps which we will take for you to get this fund claim. Do confirm if am dealing with the right person so that we can commence.
A file has been open for you and if you are not the real person can be closed.
Good day ahead and thanks for your co-operation
Mr. Morris Kofi
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Anti-fraud resources:
