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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:
- "john.cooper10@live.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- 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: "John Cooper Esq." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <john.cooper10@live.com>
Date: Thu, 19 May 2011 00:17:12 -0700
Subject: Did you get my First email ?
Hello,
I have emailed you earlier without a response. In my first email I mentioned about my late client whose relatives I cannot
get in touch with. I am compelled to do this because I would not want the bank to push my clients funds into the bank
treasury as unclaimed inheritance.
This mail is written and intended to solicit your assistance to be presented as the HEIR to my Late Client since you are a
foreigner and only a foreigner can lay claims on this inheritance. The Governing Body of the Bank has contacted me on this
matter and I am yet to provide the HEIR to lay claims to the Fund. Under a clear and legitimate agreement with you, I
shall seek your consent to be presented as the HEIR so that my late Client's fund will not be Confiscated by the Bank
and pushed into the bank treasury as unclaimed bills.
For the sake of Transparency on this matter,you are free to make immediate contact for further clarification and explanation
on this matter. I will need you also to reconfirm your
1.FULL NAMES
2.AGE
3.OCCUPATION
4.RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS and
5.CONTACT TELEPHONE NUMBER to ascertain the fact that I am dealing with the right person
please email the above information to john.cooper10@live.com
Thank you very much for your anticipated acceptance while we expect your prompt response to this matter as the urgency
demands.
Sincerely,
John Cooper (Esq)
London
United kingdom
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Anti-fraud resources:
