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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: "Advocate Greg Osborn" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <gregosbornesq3@hotmail.com>
Date: Sat, 13 Jul 2019 11:13:08 -0700
Subject: Did you received my previous email
Dear Friend,
I have emailed you earlier on without any response from you, hence I have decided to contact you once again due to the urgency that this matter required.
On my first email I mentioned about my late client Mr. Glenn Warrington, An American who died in car accident on the 17th of November 2009 without any registered next of kin.
I want to front you as his next of kin so as to put in claims with the bank where these funds valued at $23.5 Million is deposited.
I am compelled to do this because I would not want the Bank to push my client's funds into their treasury as unclaimed inheritance.
In order to re- profile you as the next of kin and beneficiary to my late client, i will request you send the following information's to me as soon as possible.
*** Your Full Name:
*** Full Address:
*** Personal/Private Email:
*** Direct Phone numbers:
*** Age:
*** Occupation:
This information will be used by me to obtain all documentations that will facilitate the release of the funds to you as the beneficiary to the above mentioned funds.
Immediately we are done with the transfer and the funds confirmed in your bank account,i shall relocate to your country for the disbursement of the fund as started earlier, 60% for me and 40% for you.
Your immediate response will be highly appreciated
Regards and God bless
Advocate Greg Osborn
Principal Attorney: Greg & Co Associates.
Direct Telephone: +27607048338
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Anti-fraud resources:
