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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:
- "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- ",500,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "power of attorney" (with your bank details and a power of attorney form criminals sometimes empty bank accounts)
- 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.
Fraud email example:
From: Alessandro Morandi Esq <jeffbonnettq1@gmail.com>
Reply-To: alessanmorandi.esq@outlook.com
Date: Mon, 11 Sep 2017 14:18:31 +0100
Subject: Please let me know if you are interested.
Dear,
A pleasant day dear.How is the weather over there?I hope the weather
is treating you right.My name is Alessandro Morandi (Attorney) I am
resident in New York and i want to discuss something very important
with you.A client of mine just passed away and she entrusted her
inheritance funds $7,500,000.00 to me to be expended in charity.She
did not have a surviving heir and was afraid her funds will be used
in ungodly manner.She did not trust her late husband's brothers to
inherit the funds owing to their questionable behavior.She instructed
me to find someone trust worthy to stand in as her next of kin and
assist with her intended charity foundation.A power of Attorney was
drafted in this regard and i crave for your indulgence to actualize
her last dying wish.She also instructed that 20% ownership of her
funds be legally transferred to you for your assistance.
The funds is deposited with the Bank of America and all that is
required is for you to indicate your interest and i will intimate you
with details.Please feel free to furnish me your full names, cell
number and address if you are interested.Please get back to me as soon
as possible.
Yours Sincerely
Alessandro. Morandi Esq
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