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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:
- "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Du Toit" <jssh507@outlook.com>
Reply-To: toitdutoitbarrister@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 11 Dec 2018 02:27:54 -0800
Subject: FOR YOUR ATTENTION
FOR YOUR ATTENTION
I am Barr. Du Toit, an attorney at law. A deceased client of mine that Shares the same last name with you, died with his family as a result of a heart-related Condition after auto crash in May 25th 2009.Leaving behind a deposit valued at $110.7 million . His heart condition was due to the death of all the members of his Family in the auto crashed. I want you to assist in distributing the money left behind by my client before It is confiscated or declare dun- serviceable by the bank. The bank has issued me a notice to contact the next of kin. My proposition to You is to seek your consent to present you as the next-of-kin and beneficiary Of my late client. This will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that Will protect you from any breach of the law, We will discuss about your Percentage upon your acceptance to Proceed. Furnish for me with your Personal Contact detail for us to proceed.
Regards.
Barr. Du Toit
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Anti-fraud resources:
