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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:
- "a security company " (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. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: Global Firm <inperialcountysecfirm@outlook.com>
Date: Mon, 17 Nov 2014 05:56:50 -0800
Subject: *** I BELIEVE THIS IS YOUR MONEY AND YOU ARE THE ONE WE ARE LOOKING
FOR ***
Hello
I am a lawyer in Imperial County, USA and I in am charged with seeking the rightful heir to certain assets
which were deposited many years ago with a security company here in Imperial County by an individual
who died a few years ago. We have made extensive searches to find any living heir, but had no success.
Your name was mentioned in the Will and Death Testament as being the only beneficiary of these assets.
We believe that you may be the person entitled and we are writing to enquire if you have any dead
relatives or living friends who may have named you as a beneficiary of these assets in their will and
testament. If so please let us have their names and any other information so we can check if you are
indeed the beneficiary. The amount of the assets is $500,000 USD and one large box of valuables, contents
unknown.
Please reply immediately to : impsecurtyfirm_inheritanc@outlook.com
He is the owner of the aforementioned Security Company and will handle the detail.
Briggs Jaw Attorney-At-Law
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Anti-fraud resources:
