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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "hundred thousand united states dollars" (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)
- "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- 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.
- stephenbakken07@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Stephen Bakken <officeconsult01@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 13 Dec 2014 09:50:36 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: I needs your urgent assistance for claim.
 Hello, My name is Barr. Stephen Bakken, I am a citizen of Republic of Benin in West African region. I am writing for the following opportunity in my office that will be of immense benefit to both of us. I am the personal attorney to late Mr.Daniel Dawson from Belgium who was a senior staff of RCC construction company, he died on November 17 2009 in auto crash. My client had an account with BANK here in Cotonou Benin valued at $12.7M USD (Twelve million seven hundred thousand united states dollars) and i want to present you as his next of kin for the claims.Thanks as I am looking forward to read your positive response through my private e-mail Address ( stephenbakken07@gmail.com ) Yours Faithfully, Barr.Stephen Bakken.
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Anti-fraud resources:
