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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.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million pounds" (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)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- 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.
- mdrjohn38@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Dr.John Martins <mdrjohn38@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 21 Oct 2016 20:55:59 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: Hi. This message is important
Barclays Bank PLC
28 High Street
Nottinghamshire
United kingdom
NG1 2bd
+447741377935
Dear friend ,
My name is Dr.John k. Martins and i am the chief officer of international transactions of the Barclays bank london, United kingdom .
I discovered a Sum of £16.5 Million (Sixteen Million Five Hundred Thousand Pounds Sterling) in an account that Belongs a customer who died over 10 years ago and has no relatives.
I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin/Will Beneficiary to this amount valued at £16.5 Million Pounds . All I require now is your honest Co-operation, Confidentiality and Trust to enable us see this transaction done.
I need to transfer this money from my bank to your bank so that we shall both share this money and i need the transfer to be done urgently .
Please, provide me the following, as we have 7 days to run it through. This is very URGENT PLEASE.- Respond through this email address; mdrjohn38@gmail.com .
1. Full Name:
2. Your Direct Mobile Number:
3. Your Contact Address:
Dr.John k.Martins
+447741377935
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Anti-fraud resources:
