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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:
- "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "MONEY/TRANSFER" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <akwamex@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 28 May 2016 03:23:48 -0500
Subject: WRITE ME BACK
Attention: Beneficiary
Do not be fearful about this email if, you have paid for a package that you never received, paid for a
document that did not complete its purpose or paid for a Bank transfer and clearance procedure that
was never completed because Ghana police force found your email address while searching a
computer that belongs to a man apprehended at Airport.
A large sum of Bank deposit file was found in his possession which investigations proves he
and his international allies acquired through extortion from people like you.
The government intends compensating you through the amount confiscated from the criminal so,
reply immediately by sending your current phone number and address for details regarding the
payment given to you as compensation on your loss.
Sincerely,
Barr. Andrew Daniel
Office Of The President
Consulate Of Ghana
New York, USA.
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Anti-fraud resources:
