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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:
- "barr." (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: "Frank Wilson Esq." <officeof@att.net>
Reply-To: officeunffic@rediffmail.com
Date: Wed, 2 Feb 2011 17:38:28 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Greetings From Barrister Frank Wilson
Attn:
Compliments of the day.
I am Barr. Frank Wilson of Frank Wilson & Associates, I have a client that wants to make a huge investment in your country.
However my client has directed me to make contact and find a suitable partner for this great business venture. One of the pre-condition for this business relationship is that his prospective partner must be vast in business management and must be ready to travel or receive representatives to discuss issues concerning any major investment.
This was strictly specified by my client as a pre condition that will be in existence before the establishment of business agreement between my client and the prospective partner. My client is a top government official and would not like any scandal and he is ready to shelve official protocol to protect you and him from such scandal or any act capable of bringing both of you in lime light. Though this transaction will be done within the premix of the law guiding both countries.
Let us know if you are qualified for this great business venture that will be highly beneficial to both parties by providing us with your contact details.
We shall cement further understanding once we hear from you.
Regards,
Frank Wilson Esq.
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Anti-fraud resources:
