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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:
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
Fraud email example:
From: "Leo Jones & Co Solicitors" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <info@leojonesancosolicitors.com>
Date: Wed, 14 Aug 2024 13:06:43 +0100
Subject: Profitable Business Partnership
Hello good friend,
Kindly accept my sincerest apologies for this unexpected letter.
Whilst a formal introduction and meeting would have been more
appropriate, the urgency of the matter demanded immediate response on my
part. i am Barrister Leo Jones. I am the lead attorney and
founder of Leo Jones & Co Solicitors, a reputable law firm in London.
I found your contact from your country’s business directory. I felt
it will be nice to share this business proposal with you.
I ask for your consent to be in partnership with me for the claim of a
“permanent LIFECARE policy” of my late client. My choice of
choosing you for this transaction is due to the fact that my late
client shares the same lastname with you. If you permit me to add
your details to the policy, every proceeds will be processed on your behalf
and without any intervening time transferred to your account.
On your confirmation of this message and indicating your interest, I
will provide you with more information about this transaction.
Yours Sincerely
Barrister Leo Jones
Head of care and Tax law
Leo Jones & Co Solicitors
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Anti-fraud resources:
