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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:
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
Fraud email example:
From: "Eric & Welsh Associates" (may be fake)
Date: Sun, 23 May 2010 20:10:53 -0700
Subject: Notification Of Bequest
Eric & Welsh Associates
Plot 6 Saka Tinubu V/Island,
Lagos Nigeria.
Tel:234 708-258-1839
Attention:
On behalf of the Trustees and Executor of the estate of Late Mr.Edwin Gabriel.I wish to notify you that late Mr.Edwin Gabriel made you a beneficiary to his WILL.Do contact me for further details regarding your inheritance.
Barr Eric Sipho.
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Anti-fraud resources:
