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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 sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "affidavit " (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "federal high court" (This court is often mentioned in '419' scams to give the victim a reason why he/she should send thousands of dollars to the scammers. A 'Federal High Court' exists in Germany and Nigeria, but not in other countries, such as the UK, Spain, Netherlands, Senegal, Benin, South Africa or other countries where fake lawyers in scams often claim to be based. )
- "abuja" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- 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.
- minister-finance@minister.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: "Dr.Mrs.Kemi Adeosun" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <Minister-Finance@minister.com>
Date: Thu, 10 Mar 2016 00:50:25 -1200
Subject: URGENT NOTICE Date:10/03/2016
From: Dr./Mrs. Kemi Adeosun.
Hon. Minister of Finance .
Federal Ministry of Finance {FMF Abuja}.
LIAISON OFFICE
IDOWU TAYLOR
ABUJA-NIGERIA
Date:10/03/2016
Dear Sir/Madam,
Re: Did You Authorize The Change Of Your receiving Bank Account For The Transfer Of Your Fund?
Please call me on phone as soon as you receive this fax/email to know the truth of this matter.
With reference to your outstanding inheritance fund and in line with the CHANGE OF BENEFICIARY'S APPLICATION, signed by one Mr. Robert Scholl Hammer with your purported authorization. If your answer is negative as suspected i will need an affidavit fee of US$155 only to stop transfer to the submitted Bank Account Bank of communications Hong Kong through the Federal High Court Abuja.
For prompt and swift answer you MUST respond only through this email address after discoursing with me.
Regards,
Dr./Mrs. Kemi Adeosun.
Hon. Minister of Finance
Direct Hot Telephone: +234-80-95906860
Telephone: +234-90-99718634
Int-Fax: +44-7092-888899
E-mail: Minister-Finance@minister.com
This facsimile is intended for the named recipient only and may contain privileged and confidential information. If you have received this facsimile in error, please do not disclose the contents to any one or copy it to outside parties. Thank you.
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Anti-fraud resources:
