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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- This email message is a "New Partner from Paraguay" scam.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
Fraud email example:
From: "Barr.Joseph Mordi" <morgankelvin354@gmail.com>
Date:
Subject:
--
Dear Friends,
I'm happy to inform you about my success in getting those funds
transferred under the cooperation of a new partner from
Paraguay.Presently I'm in Paraguay for investment projects with my own
share of the total sum. meanwhile,i didn't forget your past efforts and
attempts to assist me in transferring those funds despite that it
failed us some how.
Now contact Rev Father Jerry Don on redacted@domain.name ask him to send
you the total of $9.5 Million Dollars Cheque which i kept for your
compensation for all the past efforts and attempts to assist me in this
matter. I appreciated your efforts at that time very much. so feel free
and get in touched with Rev and instruct him where to send the Cheque
to you.
Please do let me know immediately you receive it so that we can share
the joy after all the suffered at that time. in the moment, I'm very
busy here because of the investment projects which me and the new-
partner are having at hand, finally, remember that I had forwarded
instruction to the secretary on your behalf to receive that money, so
feel free to get in touch with Rev Father Jerry Don , he will send the
(Cheque) to you without any delay.Email:: redacted@domain.name
Send your contact info to him
Full names................
Parcel owner address......
Country...................
Zip Code..................
Nationality:..............
Telephone :...............
Id Card:..................
Age:......................
Occupation:...............
Regards.
Barrister Joseph Mordi
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Anti-fraud resources:
