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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:
- "power of attorney" (with your bank details and a power of attorney form criminals sometimes empty bank accounts)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
- 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.
- juliusfrank53@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: julius frank <rankeyj935@yahoo.pt>
Reply-To: julius frank <juliusfrank53@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 15 Jan 2015 09:53:02 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: GOOD DAY MY DEAR
 I am sorry to inform you, that Mrs. Mary Taylor of USA came to my office with Power Of Attorney soliciting that you had empowered her to claim your funds because of ill-health. She further stated that you could not walk nor express yourself well and based on that you instructed her to come and claim the funds on your behalf.
After much deliberation with her with the top Management of the Bank we therefore told her to go and to report back tomorrow. The reason is obvious because we wanted to hear from you first before paying the total sum of $15m belonging to you and the reason to communicate with you is to know exactly if you were the one that instructed her to claim the funds.
Interestingly, came with some pictures saying that they belonged to you and some other proves. My question is are you aware of her coming or are you the one that instructed her to claim the money, your immediate reaction is highly needed email me on juliusfrank53@gmail.com. And also let me have your direct telephone number for more details.
YoursJulius Frank
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Anti-fraud resources:
