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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
Fraud email example:
From: "Morgan Rudolph" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrgnrdlph@aol.co.uk>
Date: Fri, 30 Sep 2011 09:54:15 -0400
Subject: Reply Asap
Dear friend,
My name is Barrister Morgan Rudolph; an attorney based in the United Kingdom (London).
I decided to contact you to handle an investment portfolio. I need your assistance in repatriating the funds and property left behind by my late client before it will be confiscated by government and declared dormant by the bank where the huge deposits were lodged. My Client died intestate and every attempt to trace any member of his family has proved abortive and unsuccessful.
Kindly note that who you are does not matter and you will be better informed when I hear from you. I want you to respond by sending:
(1) Your Full names
(2) Tel (Home and Mobile)
(3) Complete Address
(4) Occupation
(5) Age
When you send the above information I will furnish you with more information about the estate and the process on how to transfer the funds to you.
Yours Sincerely
Barrister Morgan Rudolph
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Anti-fraud resources:
