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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.)
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
Fraud email example:
From: "Lois Ashante" <Stendaler-Job-Center@t-online.de>
Reply-To: <lois.asante@aol.com>
Date: Thu, 29 Aug 2013 12:30:14 +0930
Subject: Please reply immediately
Attention: To whom it may concern
Ashante & Associate Chambers is conducting a standard process investigation on behalf of HSBC Bank, Nigeria, and we would like you to assist us with this independent inquiry. My name is Lois Ashante.
I am a Private investigator and also a reunion counselor/analyst. This investigation and inquiry involves a client who shares the same surname with you and also the circumstances surrounding the investments made by this client at HSBC Bank, Lagos - Nigeria.
The client and his family died in a plane-crash and no successor in title over the investments made here in Lagos - Nigeria. The essence of this communication with you is to request you provide us information/comments on any or all of the three issues below:
1-Are you aware of any relative/relation who shares your same surname whose last known contact address was Lagos Nigeria?
2-Are you aware of any investment of considerable value in capital market and money market made by such a person at HSBC Bank.
3-Can you establish your eligibility to assume status of successor or next of kin of the deceased?
Best regards,
Lois As
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Anti-fraud resources:
