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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:
- "million 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)
- "dear beneficiary," (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "ADESOLA KAZEEM" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <adesola@accountant.com>
Date: Fri, 6 Oct 2017 03:46:49 -0700
Subject: RE: MRS. ANNA BLAIR'S DEATH
Dear Beneficiary,
My name is Dr. Adesola Kazeem, the account of officer to late Mrs.
Anna Blair. I am also please to inform you that your pending payment
of $11.5 Million Dollars rom Mrs. Anna Blair has been scheduled to be
release and we have received part of the requested fee for procurement
of the needed cetificate before the completion of the transfer from
Mrs. Anna Blair's doctor and what is left now is $115 to get
everything completed and ensure the fund is transferred to you as
instructed by Mrs. Anna Blair before she passed away. I need you to
get back to us immediately with your banking details where you want
the fund transferred so we can provide you with the details to send
the money and ensure the transfer is carried out successfully.
Your immediate and urgent response is highly needed.
Sincerely,
Adesola Kazeem.
Barclays Bank.
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Anti-fraud resources:
