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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:
- "fiduciary agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
- "claim agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- "cashier's check" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- 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.
- jerycoleman_60@yahoo.co.jp (Yahoo, Japan; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mrs. Barbara Henderson" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <jerycoleman_60@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Tue, 8 Dec 2015 14:01:32 +0100
Subject: Cashier's Check:
Attention: Sir/Madam.
This is to Inform you that a Certified Cashier's Check totaling sum of $2.5M has been accredited to your favor by the United Nations Population Fund (UNPF). Your fiduciary agent Mr. Jerry Coleman has been assigned to assist you in claiming your funds as soon as possible and will be released to you in record time.
You are advice to contact the claim agent Mr. Jerry Coleman on his email address (jerycoleman_60@yahoo.co.jp) with the below information for quick release of your fund.
1. Full Names.
2. Country.
3. Home Address.
4. Phone & Mobile #.
5. Age & Sex.
6. Marital Status.
7. Ocupation.
8. Next of Kin (If available).
DECLARATION:
I....................Hereby Declare that the above data are true in case of any unforeseen circumstance, my next of kin has the right to claim the total funds. My fiduciary agent shall act as my agent in facilitating the release of the fund to me. DATE:.............
Thanks and may God bless you and your family. Hopefully looking forward to hearing from you as soon as you furnish the above information to Mr. Jerry Coleman. Don't neglect this I advice you.
United Nations, making the world a better place.
Best regards,
Mrs. Barbara Henderson
Coordinator (UN)
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Anti-fraud resources:
