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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "keep it confidential" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
- 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.
- fernancarlos@yahoo.com.hk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "administrador" <administrador@ccpm.com.mx>
Date: Sun, 8 Dec 2013 14:50:19 -0600
Subject: Treat as confidential
Hello,
My name is Snr. Carlos Fernandez Rodriguez.; I am a consultant, head of private banking and wealth management and credit system programmer with Banco Santander one of the leading banks here in Spain. We are conducting a standard process investigation involving a client over the circumstance surrounding investments made by this client at my bank( Banco Santander).
The Bank Private Banking client died intestate and nominated no next of kin or heir to
Inherit the title over the investments made with Santander Bank Plc. The essence of
this communication with you is to request that you provide us information on three issues:
1-Can you stand as the next of kin if all the paper works are taken care of by me with your co-operation?
2-Are you aware of any investment of considerable value made by such a person
at Banco de Santander Plc.?
3-Can you keep it confidential if I make you the next of kin to the deceased so you can claim the deposited funds to be shared by both of us?
It is pertinent that you inform me immediately whether or not you can handle huge transaction like this confidentially.
You must appreciate that I am constrained from providing you with more
detailed information at this point. PLEASE RESPOND BACK TO MY PRIVATE AND DIRECT EMAIL ADDRESS; (fernancarlos@yahoo.com.hk) as soon as possible to afford us the opportunity to conclude this transaction to our mutual benefit.
Thank you for your co-operation.
Yours sincerely,
Snr .Carlos Fernandez Rodriguez.
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Anti-fraud resources:
