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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:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "ecowas " (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: BARRISTER KONRAD <hope_is_a_great_thing@yahoo.co.jp>
Reply-To: BARRISTER KONRAD <kskeris@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 16 Oct 2014 00:11:51 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Utmost Urgent
Dear Sir/Madam.
Please confirm this information urgently. Did you ask Mr. Edmond Lash Beneker and Ms. Diana Schrock, both from USA to claim your funds? As a matter of urgency get back to me immediately before things go wrong.
They have offered to pay all the charges withholding your funds and claim the funds. Your urgent confirmation is needed immediately, please if you know that you never authorized them, kindly get back to us ASAP with a reconfirmation of the following details which should include but not limited to the under listed;
1). Your full names as contained in your ID
2). A valid Id
3). Your contact telephone numbers including mobile telephone number.
4). Your present company and/or residential address
5). Your Payment details.
This information is mandatory for requisite ratification, confirmation and recommendation for payment accordingly.
Please note: You must quote this code as your reference while responding CRC-DPV2012/V1XX. Your prompt response is advised.
Yours faithfully,
Barr. Konrad Skeris
Secretary to the Ecowas
Union Compensation Committee.
EUCC.Abidjan Ivory Coast
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Anti-fraud resources:
