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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 friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "power of attorney" (with your bank details and a power of attorney form criminals sometimes empty bank accounts)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
Fraud email example:
From: Tony Robinson <tonyrobinson220@yahoo.fr>
Reply-To: tonyrobinson55@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Tue, 18 Feb 2014 23:19:34 +0100 (CET)
Subject: GOOD DAY TO YOU
Dear Friend,
I am Tony Robinson, an attorney at law and I am contacting you on important issue concerning a deceased client of mine who died as the result of a heart-related condition on the 11th of March 2011, which I have made all efforts to locate his friends or family but all my effort was in vain and that is why I have contacted you to assist in claiming the Fund left behind by my client before it is confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank where his fund value of $15.7million U.S Dollars is lodged. This bank has issued me a notice to contact the next of kin or the fund will be transferred into the Federal government reserve.
My proposition to you is to seek your consent to present you as the next-of-kin and beneficiary to my late client because I have the power of Attorney do so, so that the proceeds of his account can be paid to you. Then we can share it on an agreed percentage which we will discuss on your response to my email.
All legal documents to back up your claim as my late client's next-of-kin will be provided. All I require is your honest and cooperation to fasten up your claim and to enable us see the transaction through.
I await your response.
Regards,
Barr: Tony Robinson
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Anti-fraud resources:
