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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "hundred thousand united states 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)
- "barr." (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.
- 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.
- barr.hayes@hotmail.com (Hotmail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: Gary Johnson <abarabe.c@yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 6 Oct 2022 22:35:24 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: Re: Compensation Gift.!
Hello dear,
I'm happy to inform you about my success in getting those funds transferred under the cooperation of a new Chinese partner Mr. Chao, we worked together and the fund was legally released to us by the bank and Ministry of Finance.
Meanwhile, I do not forget your past effort so i have decided to compensate you.I advise you contact Mr. Edward Hayes through his e-mail address: ( barr.hayes@hotmail.com ) with your full name and address including your mobile phone number and receive the total of $1,500.000.00 (One Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) that I left for your compensation. I appreciate your collective efforts at that time so feel free and get in touch with him to receive your compensation Gift.
Yours faithfully, Gary Johnson.
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Anti-fraud resources:
