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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:
- ",500,000" (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)
- "power of attorney" (with your bank details and a power of attorney form criminals sometimes empty bank accounts)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- 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.
- 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.
- +447011198643 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- sec.cusmith@sify.com (Sify; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr Garvin Abohnima Esq" <g.arvin@attorney.com>
Reply-To: g.arvinaboh@mail.mn
Date: Sat, 31 Mar 2012 00:59:34 +0800 (HKT)
Subject: Regarding your Inheritance : Are you aware about it .
Corresponding to the false Email claims I daily receive from your
barrister who called himself Attorney John Palmer. That you have requested
and hired his service as your representative Attorney to make the
collection of your inheritance estate cheque funds collection. I will not
obliged to his request because you have not personally notify me about his
coming and also after making consultations with the law suit Chamber he
claimed he represent I was told such name do not work with them and have
no tracking records with them either in the past or present.
I have to inform you that the deposit company has issued your certified
bank draft cheque $1,500,000 { $1.5 Million } collection to your late
relative secretary whom is Curry Smith . After I sent the power of
attorney letter of recommendations to the deposit company to release the
collection to her secretary.
Its still un-believable to me that till this moment you have not made the
collection of your cheque payment with the secretary. By now you ought to
have started enjoying your benefits.
Here is the contact information's to reach the secretary.
Secretary,Curry Smith
Email: sec.cusmith@sify.com
Tel : +44-7011198643
Secretary curry smith works with Shell United kingdom England. Reach the
secretary with the above contact.
Once again, I hope and pray you use your Inheritance collection payment as
issued to you wisely by investing with it and paying One tenth of it as
your tithe to any Red Cross society or orphanage homes near you in helping
a soul today.
Signed :
GARVIN ABOH ESQ.
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