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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:
- "hundred thousand us 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)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- 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.
- 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.
- barristeredwiin@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Edwin <barristeredwiin@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 23 Apr 2022 15:57:38 -0700
Subject:
--
I am writing you this mail in respect of my late client that bears the
same last name as you. My late client died who lost his life during
the 2020 Corona-virus disaster (COVID-19). whose relatives I cannot
get in touch with because he did not put down any WILL and he came to
this country when he was a little child. I am compelled to do this
because I would not want the bank to push my client’s funds into the
bank treasury as unclaimed inheritance and the amount involved is
US$7.200 Million (Seven Million Two Hundred thousand US Dollars) and
250 Kilogram of gold deposited with the bank security department for
safe keeping.
He died without any registered next of kin and as such the funds now
have an open beneficiary mandate. Fortunately, both of you have the
same last name so it will be very easy to make you become his official
next of kin. If you are interested you do let me know so that I can
give you comprehensive details on what we are to do. Please you
should send your response to my private email address
:(barristeredwiin@gmail.com)
Best regards,
Barrister. Edwin Kofi
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Anti-fraud resources:
