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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:
- "you are advise to" (this email uses bad English)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +447024098949 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
- +447024099921 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
Fraud email example:
From: "Barrister Dean Harry" <deanharry@live.com>
Reply-To: mr.deanharrylawfirm@live.co.uk
Date: Tue, 11 Aug 2009 19:54:59 -0300 (BRT)
Subject: YOUR INHERIATNCE FUNDS!!!
DEAN HARRY & ASSOCIATES
Address:33 Bedford Row
London WC1R 4JH,England.
Tel: (+44) 702 409 9921
(+44) 702 409 8949
E-mail: barrdeanharry.esq@live.com
I wish to notify you that late Engr. Jurgen Krugger made you
a beneficiary to his WILL. He left the sum of Thirty Million,
One Hundred Thousand Dollars (USD$30,100.000.00) to you in the
Codicil and last testament to his WILL.This may sound strange
and unbelievable to you, but it is real and true. Being a widely
traveled man, he must have been in contact with you in the past
or simply you were nominated to him by one of his numerous friends
abroad who wished you good.
Note: You are advise to contact me with my personal details
Email: barrdeanharry.esq@live.com
phone (+44) 702 401 0513
(+44) 702 409 9921
(+44) 702 409 8949
Call me upon the reciept of this mail: Tel: +44 702 409 8949
Yours in Service,
BARRISTER DEAN HARRY ESQ.
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Anti-fraud resources:
