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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:
- "registration fee" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Brian Martin Esq" (may be fake)
Date: Mon, 20 Feb 2023 18:16:29 +0100
Subject: Re Hello Dear
Hello Dear,
As the legal Representative handling your transaction some time ago, this is to inform you that I had a negotiation with a financier to fund your transaction and he is willing to fund it till funds gets to your bank account. Though the only thing you are asked to do now is the FORM REGISTRATION FEE of a $100 to register your transaction with him and thereafter the financier will take up responsibility at all level till your funds gets to your bank account. This is an opportunity for you to get your longest standing transaction concluded to have your funds in your bank account. Take a total look at this opportunity and respond to me quickly as the exercise is schedule to commence very soon once you provide me the $100 needed to register your transaction with the financier.
I am here to give you more information.
Yours Faithfully
Brian Martin Esq.
Int'l Lawyer (Hons.LL.D.)
United Kingdom
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Anti-fraud resources:
