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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:
- ",500,000" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "e_hayesdesk@live.co.uk" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- "e_hayesdesk@live.co.uk" (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: "SHELTONS ORPHANAGE HOME" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <e_hayesdesk@live.co.uk>
Date: Mon, 7 Feb 2011 20:59:59 -0000
Subject: SIGNED CONTRACT WORK
HUMANITARIAN CONTRACT WORK
It has been a while I heard from you regarding my proposal to help me complete the contract work. I have given my lawyer the legal document and deed of contract from the British High Court regarding the sum of $3,500,000USD to you to carry out the contract of helping the orphans and less privileges. The deal was given to me but due to my health condition I have decided to transfer it to a trustworthy person like you. Barrister Edward Hayes will hand over all the Copy of Will and document to you immediately you contact him via: e_hayesdesk@live.co.uk and tell him that you are now the new contractor to $3,500,000USD for a specific good work as registered and signed by me in the British High Court.
PLEASE CONTACT MY LAWYER VIA: e_hayesdesk@live.co.uk
Thanks,
Mrs. Harriet Aldson Shelton.
(CEO/M.D SHELTON’S ORPHANAGE HOME)
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Anti-fraud resources:
