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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:
- "top secret" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "chambers" (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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Anton Kosvan" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <antonkosvaan@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 8 Oct 2015 09:59:42 +0300
Subject: PARTNERSHIP OFFER
From:Anton Kosvan
Kosvan chambers and partners
Moscow-Russia.
Dear Sir,
Firstly, I must solicit your confidence in this transaction; this is by virtue of its nature as being utterly confidential and top secret. Though I know that a transaction of this magnitude will make any one apprehensive and worried, but I am assuring you that all will be well at the end of the day.
My name is Anton Kosvan Russia citizen and a financial consultant.I am making this investment offer on behalf of my client a politician whom i will not disclose to you now until I confirm your interest in this offer. He is presently under house arrest in Kiev(Ukraine) with limited access to communication. My client is looking for a partner that will receive fund for investment.
I am making this contact with you on the strength of this my client’s need for an individual who will be willing to receive money on his behalf abroad, and then invest this money for making profit in accordance with the foreign direct investment regulations in your country.
Your role as a partner will be to devise the necessary business plan based on your knowledge of the domestic economy in your country. To oversee the day to day management of the business that will be established there in your country.
The establishment of this joint business venture will be carried out in a manner consistent with the prevailing international laws and that of your country guiding such an investment.
In the event that you are willing to work with me on this project as a partner, provide me with your direct telephone number for further detail.
Expecting your urgent response
Yours Sincerely,
Anton Kosvan
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Anti-fraud resources:
