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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:
- "million united states dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
- 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.
- prudentlawfirm11@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: attorneyjohnson@prudentlawfirm.ml
Reply-To: prudentlawfirm11@gmail.com
Date: 03 Feb 2016 01:48:32 -0500
Subject: Hello
Hello,
I am Barrister Andrew Johnson, writing on behalf of my late
client. After his death the bank in charge of his estate
contacted me to provide his Next of kin to inherit his fortune
according to the policy in such circumstances. I have written
several letters to the embassy with the intent to locate any of
his extended family who should be the beneficiary and my effort
has been fruitless.
The board of directors just adopted a resolution and I am given
an ultimatum of 15 working days to provide his next of kin or the
funds valued $15.5 Million United States Dollars in a domiciliary
account is declared as unserviceable and fortified by the bank.
Well from my professional experience I can use a legal means to
present you as the next of kin of my deceased client since you
share same surname to enable you put a claim to the funds.
Please send me a feedback to enable me elaborate you more on this
transaction.
Regards,
Barrister Andrew Johnson.
Private Email: prudentlawfirm11@gmail.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
