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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 sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "barr." (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.
Fraud email example:
From: "Justin Henshaw" <ghf00000@financier.com>
Reply-To: cedr2903@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 27 Jan 2022 17:36:36 +0100
Subject: Partnership Proposal for charles.roccaforte@vownet.net
Dear Sir/Madam
I hope this email finds you well, I do not want to sound scary or confusing as my intentions are genuine and I need someone I can trust. I am contacting you in regards to a confidential matter which involves my late client's funds before it is confiscated or account declared dormant by the bank where it is deposited.
My proposition to you is to seek your consent to present you as the next-of-kin and beneficiary of my said client, so that the proceeds of this account can be paid to you. Then we can share the amount on a mutually agreed-upon percentage. All legal documents to back up your claim as my client's next-of-kin will be provided.
This will be executed under legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. If this business proposition offends your moral values, kindly accept my apology. I await your prompt response stating your interest for further details.
Yours in service,
Barr. Justin Henshaw
(Senior Partner)
Accredited Specialist Lawyer
Barrister and Solicitor (Holland, 1985)
Solicitor (England 1996).
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Anti-fraud resources:
