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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:
- "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 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
Fraud email example:
From: "Barrister Tariq Khan" <info@lee.org>
Reply-To: barrister.tariq009@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 14 Feb 2023 14:49:22 +0100
Subject: From United Nations Headquarters
United Nations Headquarters
Compensation Office
112 East 46th Street
New York, NY 10017,
United States of America
Direct Telephone Number: 1-(202)792-6833
Attention:
We write to let you know that our paying bank the Commonwealth Bank of Australia has issued a Cheque of US$2.5 Million Dollar in your name which you can also receive from the bank through online banking system or bank to bank transfer and ATM card.
You are hereby advice to forward your complete details immediately so we can forward it to them to act as instructed
Thank you and we are expecting to hear from you today.
Regards,
Barrister Tariq Khan
Director of Payment United Nations Office USA
Direct Telephone Number: 1-(202)792-6833
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Anti-fraud resources:
