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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:
- "million 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)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
- 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.
- barrispeter.ken@aol.com (AOL; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: OFFICE DOCUMENT <fileoffing03@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <barr.peterkenlawng@yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 30 Apr 2015 13:27:20 +0000
Subject: MASSAGE TO YOU REPLY!!
Dear Sir/ Madam,
Regarding to your non reply of my first email to you. Once again i am Peter Ken, A personal Attorney to late Dr. Scott Green who died as a result of Cancer of Lungs (May his soul rest in peace). I hereby seek your consent to present your name to late Dr. Scott Green Bank as the next of kin so that you can claim out this money through my assistance.
About the money value USD29.4 Million Dollars deposited by late Dr. Scott Green before his death. Kindly get back to me for more details about this. Percentage will be discussed once i hear from you and show your interest.
My Private Office Email (barrispeter.ken@aol.com)
late Dr. Scott Green worked with Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited as a Head of Power Products/Systems ABB Nigeria here in Nigeria for many year's, he died by Cancer of Lungs on 5th Feb 2011 by 9:20 AM. Dr. Scott Green bank has mandated me to provide his next of Kin to claim the money or it will be transfer to their treasury account but i am unable to locate any of his relative. Do not bother to reply if you are not interested.
Yours Faithfully,
Barrister Peter Ken,
(6th Floor) 50/52, Broad Street
GPO Marina Lagos.
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Anti-fraud resources:
