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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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:
- "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 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.
- barrister.koffyagoo@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: ''Mr. Koffi Agogo '' <@office>
Reply-To: barrister.koffyagoo@yahoo.com
Date: Thu, 04 Feb 2016 03:38:17 -0500
Subject: Dear
I am Barrister Koffi Agogo , lawyer from West Africa work as a Legal Adviser for a large company operating in the distribution sector in the Province of Lome in Republic of Togo. Can you receive the transfer of $ 4.7 Million USD into your personal bank account for our mutual benefit? This money belongs to my deceased client , a national of your country.
My deceased client ,his wife and their only daughter were involved in an automobile accident.Unfortunately, my late client does not have any stated next of kin who can lay claim to the fund/legacy he left behind.That is the reason why I contacted you to receive this money . If you are willing to work with me to receive this money, More information will be made known to you once i receive your response on how to put claim since you bear the same last name with him .
If you are ready for deal please contact me with your private email address directly on (barrister.koffyagoo@yahoo.com)
Once i received your reply i will send you all the details about this transaction.
Best wishes
Mr. Koffi Agogo
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Anti-fraud resources:
