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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.
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "ARBUTHNOT BANKING GROUP PLC LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <jamcobb@ymail.com>
Date: Sat, 11 Aug 2012 11:49:18 -0500
Subject: WIRE TRANSFER NOTIFICATION
I am Mr.James Cobb,Finance Director Arbuthnot Banking Group PLC.I have sent you a hard copy letter via your postal address and returned undelivered hence I am using this electronic means. I have made this contact to you base on your last name shared with our late customer who is deceased now.He made Fixed deposit with the bank in a private account.
The bank officially demanded for his next of kin after several notifications has been sent to his resident. I seek your consent to present you to act as the next of kin ,so that we can have this fund paid to your account. Upon your acceptance I will get all the legal backing documents in your favor as I will use my position and office to effect the payment via bank to bank wire transfer.
It is legal as I assure you that this transaction will not for any reason break local or international law of both countries. I have secured my end before making this Business contact, we share the funds on agreement or we co-invest the funds in your country under your management.
Details shall be forwarded to you as soon as possible.
Best Regards
Mr. James Cobb
Arbuthnot House
20 Ropemaker street London
EC2Y 9AR.
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Anti-fraud resources:
