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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
Fraud email example:
From: Mr Clif Ail <katygiuseppe@alice.it>
Reply-To: mr.clif_ail@yahoo.com
Date: Mon, 18 Dec 2017 10:54:30 +0100 (CET)
Subject: Auditor General.
Dear Friend,
How are you doing? Hope fine.
I am Auditor General in (IDB) Republic Du Benin. On my routine inspection I
discovered a dormant domiciliary account with the deposit of (€16.5Million
Euros) by late Mr. ADOLF MERCKLE without any heir. I write to seek your
indulgence and assistance in moving these funds to your country through legal
means or to transfer it to your bank account.Since I have been unsuccessful in
locating the relatives, I now seek your consent to present you as the next of
kin of the deceased since you are a foreigner, so that the Proceeds of this
account valued €16.5million Euros can be paid to you subsequently to be shared
among us If you agree, we share it 60/40.
I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will
protect you from any breach of the law. Let me know if you can handle it.
I wait for your urgent response. Please provide your mobile number for easy
communication.
Regards,
Mr.Clif Ail
Auditor General.
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Anti-fraud resources:
