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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:
- "bank charges " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "deadline" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "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.
- 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.
- +447045752371 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
Fraud email example:
From: "Darley silva" <msilva@joaopessoa.pb.gov.br>
Reply-To: chrlsstanley907@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 20 Apr 2011 00:49:16 -0200
Subject: Graham Robert Trust Fund
Graham Robert Trust Fund,
Sequel to my previous email, I am writing to remind you that I am yet to
receive a positive response from your end regarding the said Graham Robert
trust fund that was willed to you. I am sure you received my last
correspondence to you and I hope you are aware that the British High court is
at it again. I will advise that you inform me if you are going to pay the
said bank charges and when, rather than put me and the transferring bank in
suspense. I still can’t imagine that its taking you so long a period of time
to raise a mere fee that can never be compared to the fund you stand to
received after the payment has been made.
I have informed you of the deadline process and the threat that the British
Royal High Court are extending to this trust funds, I have done my best to
ensure that the Court gives you more time to finalize the remittance process
of this trust funds by you paying these fees, I have even contacted the court
on your behalf and giving them excuses on your behalf to be patient, but
right now the court are on the verge of taking a stringent actions that will
lead to your funds been confiscated. I need you to be diligent and act fast
so that we can finalize the transfer process of your trust funds. I advise
you to keep me updated as to when you will be paying the said fees.
I anticipate your prompt response to this email.
Best Regards
Charles Stanley ESQ
+447045752371
+447045752368
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Anti-fraud resources:
