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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "high court" (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.
Fraud email example:
From: PETER GIGGS <elizarden@gmail.com>
Reply-To: petgiggs3@live.com
Date: Tue, 25 May 2010 21:41:07 +0100
Subject: For Your Attention.
ATTORNEY PETER GIGGS
AND ASSOCIATES.
212 Wapping Road,
Bristol BS1 4RW,
United Kingdom.
Dear Friend,
Good day.
Do accept my apologies if my mail does not meet your personal ethics. We
wish to notify you again that you were listed as a beneficiary to the total
sum of (Amount now withheld since this is our second letter to you) in the
intent of the deceased. We contacted you because you bear the surname
identity and therefore can present you as the beneficiary to the inheritance
since there is no written will. Our legal services aim to provide our
private clients with a complete service.
We are happy to prepare wills set-up and administer Trusts, carry out
the administration of estates and prepare and administer powers of attorney.
All the papers will be processed in your acceptance. In your acceptance of
this deal we will inform you of the total amount involved we also request
that you kindly forward to us your letter of acceptance, your current
telephone and fax numbers for easy communication and a forwarding address to
enable us file necessary documents at our high court probate division for
the release of this sum of money.
Yours faithfully
Peter F. Giggs Esq.
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Anti-fraud resources:
