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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:
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "barrchristhamson@live.fr" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
Fraud email example:
From: BARR CHRISTHAMSON <barrchristhamson@yahoo.co.jp>
Reply-To: <barrchristhamson@qq.com>
Date: Thu, 07 Jan 2016 17:59:12 -0200
Subject: GREETINGS
--
GREETINGS to you. I wish to notify you again that you were listed as an
heir to the total sum of U.S. $ 9.5million. In the codicil and last
testament of the deceased. Name now withheld since this is my second
letter to you I contacted you because you bear the surname identity of
to my late client and therefore can present you as the heir to the
inheritance. I therefore reckoned that you could receive these funds as
you are qualified by your surname identity. All the legal papers will be
processed in your acceptance. Of this deal you stand as the next or the
beneficiary of the fund, indicate your interest in all legal. Get back
to me for more details. You can contact me on (barrchristhamson@live.fr)
for more details
Barrister Christ Hamson Esq
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Anti-fraud resources:
