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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 next of kin scam.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
Fraud email example:
From: Kenneth Gordon <online976953@telkomsa.net>
Reply-To: Kenneth Gordon <kgordon108@ymail.com>
Date: Sat, 4 Sep 2010 15:30:04 +0200 (SAST)
Subject: I await your reply
Dear ,
I want to inform you about my late client and his family, a wife and two children has died in a ghastly auto crash in 2007 .I was his lawyer before their death.His money at the bank is ready for payment.
I have made several efforts to locate their immediate relations to no avail. You can be presented for the administration of the inheritance right of title as the next of kin since my deceased client was from your region.We are hereby seeking your permission to enable us file for the money in your favour .
Email me and I shall give you more information.I would like to speak with you about this.So, email your full names and telephone number, I will call you to discuss this matter as soon as I hear from you.
Or Call me as soon as you recieve and read this mail.Tel Direct Line: +2348020792718
Thank you.
Kenneth Gordon Esq.
KG Morgan Chambers.
Port Harcourt,Rivers State.
Nigeria
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Anti-fraud resources:
