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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:
- "00,000.00" (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 next of kin scam.
- 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.
- +447031901524 (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.
- b.jacobsonesq12410@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Browne Jacobson & Associates <rsna@brunet.bn>
Reply-To: Browne Jacobson & Associates <b.jacobsonesq12410@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 19 Aug 2014 20:19:02 +0800 (BNT)
Subject: THIS IS MY THIRD AND FINAL NOTICE!!!
On behalf of the Trustees and Executor of the estate of Late Engr Hans Albrecht Bethe, I once again try to notify you as my earlier letter was returned undelivered. I hereby attempt to reach you again by this same email address on the WILL. I wish to notify you that Late Hans Albrecht Bethe made you a beneficiary in his WILL. He left the sum of Twenty Million, One Hundred Thousand Dollars (USD$20, 100,000.00) to you in the Codicil and last testament to his WILL.Please if I reach you as I am hopeful, endeavor to get back to me as soon as possible enable me conclude my job. I hope to hear from you in no distant time. I am sincerely sorry if you feel bothered or embarrassed by this message.
For more information contact Browne Jacobson & Associates.Email address b.jacobsonesq12410@gmail.com
Barrister Browne Jacobson, Phone:Tel: +447031901524
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Anti-fraud resources:
