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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:
- "hundred thousand united state dollars" (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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
Fraud email example:
From: " Mr. Hiren SINGHARAY" < info@lee.org >
Reply-To: info@prudentcreditunion.co.uk
Date: Tue, 23 Aug 2022 19:24:39 +0600
Subject: Re: I contacted you to assist me!
Hello,
I wish to seek your consent as the beneficiary to the total sum of USD13.5Million in the intent of the deceased Client.
We have recently discovered funds left behind by my late client who died along with his wife and only son in March 2020 due to complications on covid19 (Coronavirus) in Italy. I contacted you to assist me in recovering the fund valued at ($13.5Million USD) Thirteen Million, Five Hundred Thousand United State Dollars Only as the Bank where this fund is deposited has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the fund confiscated.
You share same name with my client, I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin to the deceased so that the proceeds of this fund can be paid to you. I guarantee that this will be executed under 100% legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.
In your acceptance, the papers will be processed, forward to us your details to enable us file necessary documents at our high court division for the release of the Fund to you.
Regards
Hiren SINGHARAY.
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Anti-fraud resources:
