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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:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
- 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.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- hansfrank6@aol.com (AOL; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr Hans Alexander" <zhaopin@parasaga.com>
Reply-To: hansfrank6@aol.com
Date: Fri, 27 May 2011 13:08:43 +0100
Subject: GOOD DAY
Dear Sir/Madam,
This is to inform you 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 client’s funds into the bank treasury as unclaimed
inheritance. This mail is written and intended to solicit your
assistance to be presented as NEXT OF KIN 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 Next of Kin to lay claims to the Fund. Under a
clear and legitimate agreement with you, I shall seek your consent to
be presented as the next of Kin so that my late Clients' 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 Full Name, Address and contact
telephone number to ascertain the fact that I am dealing with the
right person.
Thank you very much for your anticipated acceptance while we expect
your prompt response to this matter as the urgency demands.
Yours faithfully,
>From Mr Hans Alexander
Hans and Frank (International Solicitors)
Email;hansfrank6@aol.com
TELEPHONE;+34 642-925-341
Madrid – Spain.
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Anti-fraud resources:
