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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:
- "million 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)
- "barrister" (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.
- 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.
- mr.jimbakk@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Jim Bako Esq" <carolinap@arnet.com.ar>
Reply-To: <mr.jimbakk@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 10 Jun 2016 14:16:40 -0300
Subject: Investment Proposal
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Hello dear,
My name is Barrister Jim Bako. I am a legal Practitioner and an
import-export consultant based in West African Sub Region. One of my
clients is interested in an investment project, She is an Origin of
South Africa, and she is interested in investing in a trustworthy and
reliable hands due to the total sum involved .
After due considerations and research, you were certified as honest and
trustworthy therefore motivating her interest in investing under your
care.
Kindly forward all your personal or company's activities to me for
assessment and appraisal on the investment project. The Total amount to
be invested is Twelve Million United States Dollars. As soon as i
immediately receive your details I will inform her and update you with
the subsequent arrangements.
Please reply to my office email box(mr.jimbakk@gmail.com) Anticipating
your immediate reply. My Special regards to you and your family.
Yours sincerely
Mr. Jim Bako Esq.
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Anti-fraud resources:
