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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:
- "huge deposit" (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.)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
Fraud email example:
From: Jim Abu <davismicheal41@gmail.com>
Reply-To: abujim22@live.fr
Date: Tue, 22 Oct 2013 16:53:36 +0200
Subject: Thanks and God Bless.
To Your Attention my dear.
On behalf of the Trustees and Executor of the estate of Late ( Engr
.Adam ) I once again try to notify you as my earlier letter were
returned undelivered. I wish to notify you that my late cleint made
you a member of his family beneficiary to his WILL before he died.He
left the sum of (US$3.5 million) to you in the Codicil and
lasttestament to his WILL.and also where these huge deposits were
lodged declared as Family treasures of Gold Jewelry and personal
precious effects.
Please as I directed this message to you personally, so treat as
urgent and confidential.
1. You will not betrayed me at last
2. You will manage my share in your country or company (if available).
3. You will stand as the sponsor; I mean you will finance the whole
process of releasing this fund to you.
Thanks and God Bless.
Yours in Service,
Barrister Jim Abu (Esq)
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Anti-fraud resources:
