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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:
- "necessary legal documents" (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. )
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "chambers" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "@lawyer.com" (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.
- 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.
- david.edward@lawyer.com (Outblaze.com, Hong Kong; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "David Edward" <davidedward2@163.com>
Date: Sat, 14 Dec 2013 20:04:56 +0800 (CST)
Subject: Greeting from Barrister David Edward!
FROM BARR. DAVID EDWARD. CHAMBRES
Solicitors & Advocate de Juristes
d'Affaires Bureau 01; B.P. 7594.
Greeting from Barrister David Edward!
Please kindly accept my apology for sending unsolicited mail to you considering the fact that I sourced your profile from a human resource profile database on your country. I am Barr. David Edward chambers, married with three children. I am writing to ask for your support and co-operation to carry out this business opportunity with you.
I wish to inform you that the Bank has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin of an account of my late client which will soon be confiscate into government treasure account as unclaimed fund. And I have been unsuccessful in locating any family member or the relatives of this my late client from your country for over 5 years ago he died.
Now, I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased since both of you have the same last name which is very much convincing that the Bank will transfer his left balance, valued at 8.6 Million Euro to any safe bank account you will provide to the paying bank for us to share at the ratio of 50% for me and 50% to you, And I will also procure all necessary legal documents in your name which will authenticate your claim inside the Bank as the Cousin and legal beneficiary of the late deceased.
All I require is your honest Cooperation to enable us accomplish this deal into your account within days. I will not hold back to say that this message is strictly for mutual benefit between you and I / business partnership and investment purposes nothing more. I will appreciate to receive your reply hence I will be able to feed you with more clarification. I will always welcome your important questions.
I will need the following information below from you.
Your Full Name and Address,
Your Telephone and Mobile Number.
Your Passport copy.
I am looking forward to hear from you as soon as you receive this message via my private E-mail (david.edward@lawyer.com)
Best & Regards
Tel: +229-68094940
Fax: +229-66159417
Barr. David Edward chambers.
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Anti-fraud resources:
