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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.)
- "carloshugofernandez@yandex.com" (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: Carlos Hugo <hs067@himail.hyosung.com>
Reply-To: <carloshugofernandez@yandex.com>
Date: Sat, 3 Dec 2016 05:57:10 -0500
Subject: Good Day
Good Day
I know it might be a surprise to you when you receive this email, since there was no previous correspondence between us. This is certainly not a conventional way of approach to establish a relationship of trust, but you will realize the need for my action.
My name is Barrister Carlos Hugo Fernandez i am a Spanish citizen and a Personal Attorney to Late Mr. David, who was a gas engineer originally from your country. He worked with the ENEL GREEN POWER (EGP España) here for many years before his death in a car crash.
I need your help in repatriate the funds he left behind. Every attempt to trace any member of his family has not been successful. Hence I have contacted you.
I will give you more information upon your response to this email via my e-mail at carloshugofernandez@yandex.com
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Your response towards this matter would be highly appreciated.
Regards,
Carlos Hugo Fernández
Av. Granvia 2, pta 6
28808 Madrid España
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Anti-fraud resources:
