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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "the consignment" (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)
- "consignment " (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)
- "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "lome togo" (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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Barr.Georgina Latin" <monetaryinternationalbankfunds@gmail.com>
Reply-To: barrgeorginalatin@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 3 Dec 2021 17:25:32 +0000
Subject: DEAR FRIEND
Dear Friend.
I am sorry for reaching you through this medium as it is the most
convenient way for me to reach you now based on the urgency and its
importance. My name is Barr.Latin Georgina, a legal practitioner
and also the personal legal attorney to (Engr.Dyson) who happens to
be your cousin as been traced to your lineage because of you has the
same last names with him, here in my country, Lome Togo in West
Africa. I want you to assist me in order to transfer a sum of (sum of
US$7.8 Million) into your reliable account as a next of kin. The
board of directors of the bank is planning to confiscate the
consignment fund if i couldn't present the next of kin to his estates
within the next 21 working days. However, it's just my urgent need for
foreign partner that made me contact you for this transaction. Further
details of the transfer will be forwarded to you if you are
interested.
Best Regards.
(Associate Latin Georgina (SAT TV)
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Anti-fraud resources:
