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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:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "hundred thousand united states dollars" (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)
- "fund beneficiary" (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)
- "chambers" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "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.
- 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: "MR. CHARLES STANLEY ESQ" <charlesstanley000100@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 24 Jul 2011 15:10:30 -0300 (BRT)
Subject: Graham Robert Fund Beneficiary:
Graham Robert Fund Beneficiary:
This is in regard to the Graham Robert trust fund amounting to the sum of
US$155,600,000(One Hundred and Fifty Five million Six Hundred thousand
United States Dollars), willed to you by late Graham Robert for the sole
purpose of charity. I am writing to enquire as to the reason for the
delay in the transfer of the fund to your end.
Note that the reason for this reminder is as a result of the meeting held
in my office chambers yesterday with the British High court over the issue
of the Graham Robert fund. The British High court in a statement demanded
that you act fast and comply with the transferring bank directives latest
seven working days from tomorrow, to enable the speedy commencement of the
charity project. They also stated that it will be unfair after all the
effort that late Graham Robert made to ensure that the charity project
becomes a success; you turn out to frustrate the entire process with
delay.
They however advise that you on this note inform us categorically if you
are still willing and sure you are going to handle the Graham Robert trust
fund as you have earlier promised. They want you to understand that they
are not happy with the delay you are creating for this trust fund and
advise that you be reasonable for once, and act fast. The main reason for
their concern is the relationship between the British High court and
Graham Robert which was mutual.
On this note I will request that your respond to this email as soon as
possible so we can proceed.
Have a nice day
Charles Stanley
+44 70457 52371
+44 70457 52368
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Anti-fraud resources:
