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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:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- 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)
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "barrister" (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.
- 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.
- depkoffi@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Hammer Koffi <webmastercbatg@gmail.com>
Reply-To: koffihammer@outlook.fr
Date: Mon, 27 Apr 2015 13:10:25 +0200
Subject: I am waiting for your urgent reply
Dear Friend,
Greeting to you . My name is Barrister Hammer Koffi, a solicitor at law.
I have an important message for you concerning the death of relative
of late client and the funds US$ 11.6 million and 25 kg gold bar he
left behind in bank here in my country (Togo).
Who died on the 30th of April 2008 in a fatal accident, all occupants
of the vehicle unfortunately lost their lives.
Contact me for full details at (depkoffi@yahoo.com)
Enclose the following information's Below.
SEND YOUR INFORMATION BELOW TO ME:
FIRST NAME:...............................
LAST NAME:................................
DATE OF BIRTH:............................
OCCUPATION:...............................
TELEPHONE NUMBER:.........................
CITY:....................................
COUNTRY:..................................
EMAIL ADDRESS:............................
I am waiting for your urgent reply in my private email address
(depkoffi@yahoo.com)
Your's Sincerely
Barrister Hammer Koffi (Esq)
Telephone : +228 9133 7160
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