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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:
- "affidavit of claim" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "affidavit " (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
Fraud email example:
From: Beej <tondan628@gmail.com>
Reply-To: beej91@yahoo.com
Date: Sun, 19 Mar 2023 20:35:49 -0700
Subject: YOUR RESPONSE
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Attention!
I am Mr. Ben Joseph. A personal adviser to one late Mr. Harry Billy an
Oil Merchant who died in 2017 of a brief sickness. And before his
death, he has given a sum of $15.5M as a will to his only daughter who
was 22 years old that died in an auto accident in July last year 2022
and these funds were willing to be released to her daughter's husband
who married her.
And following her untimely death' the bank has agreed to release these
funds but to present a next of kin, I have access to the Will of her
late father in dealing with the bank which I am to present you to the
bank as her late father's next of kin, I will be processing all the
relevant documents in your name legally, to establish you as the next
of kin and the true beneficiary of these fund's claims in the court of
law as an affidavit of claim will be issued to you. You are entitled
to 40% and 60% is for me and my colleagues.
Note, the bank will contact you directly through email being the true
next of Kin which the court of law will issue you an affidavit of a
claim certificate for the final fund's payment transfer to you and a
copy of your affidavit of claim certificate will be sent to you for
your personal perusal.
Send your following information below to commence the processing of this
transaction as the true Next of Kin.
(1) Your (international passport / Driving License copy).
(2) Full Name:-------
(3) Your Age:--------
(4) Your Occupation /Profession.:----
(5) Your position:------
(6) Your Home/Office Address
(7) Your Phone Cell number.
Looking forward to your prompt response.
Regards,
Mr. Ben Joseph.
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